1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Contour farming involves cultivating the soil perpendicular to the slope, that is ploughing along the contour. This minimizes runoff-induced erosion.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Contour farming involves cultivating the soil perpendicular to the slope: that is ploughing along the contour. Contour farming is suitable for gently sloping terrain (< 5%). On land with steeper slopes (≥10%), it is necessary to combine tillage with other erosion control measures, such as the use of grass strips. However, cultivating on very steep slopes is not advisable due to their high exposure to erosion.
This technology enhances water availability for plants in the soil, reducing surface runoff and slowing down the velocity of water during runoff. Nevertheless, working the soil perpendicular to the slope can pose challenges on narrow plots:
- more passes are needed, which takes more time;
- the slope sometimes makes it difficult to maintain plough stability;
- in the case of single-share ploughs, if the slope is steep, the direction of passage is particularly difficult.
The ideal way to work the soil is to follow contour lines, but this recommendation is sometimes difficult or even impossible to apply when the terrain is uneven. Contour surveying can also be too demanding for some farmers. In such cases, identifying the general cross-slope direction becomes a practical recommendation, even if it does not strictly adhere to contour lines.
This type of tillage not only protects downstream plots from sand and sediment influx, but also prevents the loss of useful soil onsite, thereby improving water infiltration. It also facilitates the conservation of organic matter from crop residues and encourages biological life in the soil.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Madagascar

Region/ State/ Province:

Boeny

Further specification of location:

Belobaka, Antanambao Andranolava, Marovoay Banlieue

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2021

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

GIZ ProSol Madagascar

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - maize
• cereals - rice (upland)
• cereals - sorghum
• legumes and pulses - beans
• legumes and pulses - peas
• legumes and pulses - soya
• root/tuber crops - cassava

• Cowpeas

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

Maize and mung beans
Maize and cowpeas

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

For Year N, a combination of cereal and legume crops. For year N+1, rice. For year N+2, cassava, and so on.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
• A3: Soil surface treatment

A3: Differentiate tillage systems:

A 3.3: Full tillage (< 30% soil cover)

structural measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The soil is ploughed at right angles to the direction of the slope. Farmers leave no space between each furrow, but plough the entire plot.
In some cases, farmers may stake out contour lines before tilling, and the furrows must be traced along these lines.

Author:

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar

Date:

01/02/2023

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

ariary

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

4300.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Farmers are solely responsible for acquiring the equipment, though it is generally assumed that they already possess it. The project focuses on providing training for the application of the technique.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Equipment and labor for the implementation of the technology

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

This region boasts a diverse array of plant and animal species, with some being native. However, this quantity remains low compared to other regions of the island. In terms of habitats, approximately 20% of the area can serve as a habitat for this biodiversity (forests, bodies of water, mangroves, etc.), which remains fairly low.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

These are estimates provided by the farmers interviewed.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

These are estimates provided by the farmers interviewed.

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Région Boeny, 2016, "Schéma Régional d’Aménagement du Territoire de la Région Boeny"

Available from where? Costs?

Boeny Region Hotel

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Jacques Beauchamp, "LA LUTTE CONTRE L’EROSION DES SOLS DANS LES REGIONS DE GRANDES CULTURES"

URL:

https://www.u-picardie.fr/beauchamp/mst/Erosion_sol/Erosion-sol.htm

Title/ description:

"Taille, forme et orientation des parcelles"/"Plot size, shape and orientation"

URL:

https://agripedia.ch/erosion/taille-forme-et-orientation-des-parcelles/

Title/ description:

"Le travail du sol perpendiculaire à la pente"/"Slope-perpendicular plowing"

URL:

https://soatany.org/fiches-techniques/