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)

Book project: where people and their land are safer - A Compendium of Good Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (where people and their land are safer)

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

HEKS (Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz) (HEKS (Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz)) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

11/10/2016

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The millet variety HKP, "Haini Kire Précoce" in Djerma language (finger millet in English), is a high-yielding millet variety, adapted to the Sahelian context

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

As in all of Niger, the department of Mayahi in the southern central part of the country is characterized by a harsh natural environment with low precipitation, which is variable in space and time, and high temperatures, with a tendency to increase even more due to the effects of climate change, increasing the aridity of the region. With 3,1%, the population is growth is very high. The pressure on the natural resources has also strongly increased, and the chronic food insecurity regularly affects the majority of the population.
Millet and cowpea are the main agricultural products of the region, but due to the demographic pressure, the arable land is practically entirely in use. Consequently, food security can only be achieved through an increased production.

Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br) is grown in several countries in West Africa, among which Niger, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. Millet is the most cultivated cereal crop and is most consumed in Niger, while the stalk is appetizing for grazing animals and serves as construction material for houses.
The millet variety HPK was developed in 1978 by the National Agronomic Research Institute of Niger (INRAN) with the aim to grow a better performing variety, more adapted to the Sahelian context. The variety HKP is resistant to drought, not very sensitive to worms, slightly sensitive to the photoperiod, but sensitive to smut and mildew. Unfortunately this variety at present is still in the stage of dissemination. This delay is explained by the difficulties in the technical management of the Nigerian seed system, and the difficult access for local producers. Yet, in the ten past years a significant advance is noted in the adoption of improved seed by the farmers who became aware that the reality of climate change requires better performing varieties.
The agro-ecological zone of the millet variety HPK is comprised between the 350 and 800 mm isohyets. It can be cultivated as a mono-culture, or in association with other crops like cowpea, sorghum, or peanut. The crop cycle takes between 75 and 90 days. Millet is preferably grown on light soils rich in organic matter. The preparation of the seed bed requires an amendment of 3 to 5 tons of decomposed organic matter per hectare and scarification with a Canadian cultivator (3 or 5 blades) after the first rains to bury the organic matter. The best period for sowing is June. Ten kilos of seed are required to sow one hectare. The spacing for the seeds is 1 m x 1 m between the pockets and the lines, or 10.000 pockets per hectare. The seed can be combined with a micro-dose of mineral fertiliser of 6 g/pocket (60 kg/ha) for the 15-15-15 fertiliser and 2 g/pocket (20 kg/ha) for the DAP. The field maintenance activities must be done in time. These include two operations of weeding and harrowing ('sarclo-binage'), while thinning out until three plants per pocket in the first operation, two weeks after seeding at the latest; the second operation of weeding and harrowing is two or three weeks after the first. A cover of urea manure is applied two times on the pocket (for the southern zone: 50 kg/ha in the tillering phase and 50 kg/ha at stem formation; for the intermediate zone: 25 kg/ha in the tillering phase and 25 kg/ha at stem formation). One or two treatments are expected in case of mildew. If not, the plants affected by the mildew and the leaf miner must be torn out, burnt and buried into the soil. The harvest is done when the ears are completely mature and dry. The variety HKP has a potential yield of 1,5 to 2,5 tons per hectare. The millet can be conserved in a granary or in a bag after treshing. The producers appreciate the good emergence of the crop, its earliness and its yield.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2014

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The Zamtapo project has distributed improved seeds of millet and cowpea in the first two years of intervention. The farmers have appreciated the earliness and the yield of the millet variety HKP.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

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

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Comments:

The rainy season lasts 3 to 4 months from June to September.

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Comments:

Each producer exploits a field with an area of 0.5 ha.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Wt : Through plowing, the rate of surface runoff is reduced or the surface runoff is even eliminated.
Cn : The application of organic manure, mineral fertiliser or compost improves the soil fertility.
Bp : Slightly sensitive to worms and mildew.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The spacing of the seeds is 1 m x 1 m between the pockets and between the lines, or 10.000 plants per ha.
The height of the crop at maturity varies from 190 to 200 cm.
The length of the ear varies from 50 to 70 cm.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

CFA franc

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

617.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Soil preparation	Agronomic	May
2.	Seeding	Agronomic	June
3.	First weeding	Agronomic	July
4.	Pulling out plants	Agronomic	July
5.	Second weeding	Agronomic	August
6.	Harvest	Agronomic	October
7.	Transport	Management	October
8.	Stocking	Management	November

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	From soil preparation to stocking	person-days	22.5	1250.0	28125.0	100.0
Plant material	Seed	kg	10.0	300.0	3000.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fungicide	g	40.0	25.0	1000.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Organic manure	t	5.0	1600.0	8000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	NPK	kg	60.0	300.0	18000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Urea	kg	50.0	300.0	15000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					73125.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Project

Comments:

The cost of equipment was not assessed because this is included in the labour costs. In the agricultural practice of the zone an engaged worker brings his work tool.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Soil preparation	Agronomic	May
2.	Seed	Agronomic	June
3.	First weeding	Agronomic	July
4.	Pulling out plants	Agronomic	July
5.	Second weeding	Agronomic	August
6.	Harvest	Agronomic	October
7.	Transport	Management	October
8.	Stocking	Management	November

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

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	From soil preparation to stocking	person-days	22.5	1250.0	28125.0	100.0
Plant material	Seed	kg	10.0	300.0	3000.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fungicide	g	40.0	25.0	1000.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Organic manure	t	5.0	1600.0	8000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	NPK	kg	60.0	300.0	18000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Urea	kg	50.0	300.0	15000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					73125.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Fertiliser and biocides.

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

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The majority of the producers are illiterate.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

Access to land is through inheritance, purchase or pawning.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
seasonal temperature	dry season	increase	very well
other gradual climate change	variability of rainfall (increase of extreme precipitation, anomalies between the seasons)	increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

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)?

Comments:

The cost-effectiveness is very positive in the short and long term, especially in years with good yields.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 10-50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

103 ha sown with HKP in Maitsakoni during the cropping season of 2016.

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

• 10-50%

Comments:

The majority of those who adopted the technology did not receive any support. They were attracted by the results obtained in the demonstration plots.

6.6 Adaptation

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

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
High yield
Resistance to drought
Adapted to the soil in the zone

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
High yield
Resistance to drought
Adapted to the soil in the zone

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Sensitive to smut and mildew	Pulling out infected plants

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Sensitive to smut and mildew Attacks of floricultural insects	Pulling out infected plants Phytosanitary treatment

7.1 Methods/ sources of information