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)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

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

Alliance Bioversity and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT) - Kenya

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

Comments:

Lime ameliorates the degraded soil due to growing soil acidity.

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Acidic soils deprive crops of their full nutrient absorption capacity. Lime application to these soil makes them less acidic. It breaks the barrier that fixes nutrients and ensures crops access to vital soil nutrients that unleash their productivity potential.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Acidic soils deprive crops of their full nutrient absorption capacity. The farm under the assessment has soil with a pH below 5.0. Lime application to these soil (liming) makes them less acidic. It breaks the barrier that fixes nutrients and ensures crops access to vital soil nutrients that unleash their productivity potential. Soil amendment with lime needs to be at least a month in advance of planting the intended crop. It requires thoroughly mixing the lime powder into the soil. The crop response from the treated soil is gradually visible, particularly during the second cropping season. Lime application takes place after the soil is pulverized very well. Most small cereals (for example “tef”, Eragrostis tef, wheat and barley) need tillage at least four times to create a good environment for the small seeds to emerge and quickly compete effectively with the weeds.

Treating exhausted acidic soils enhances the availability of nutrients that otherwise remain fixed by non-leaching mineral elements in the soil. Application of lime along with organic fertilizers improves soil structure, soil pore space, and soil infiltration capacity. Treating acid soil increases crop production and productivity of the soil. It reduces labour costs relative to output, since it leads to a relatively high yield from a small area. The practice helps to stop land being converted from cropping to grazing. Even when this conversion occurs, the grazing land itself is poor because of the acidity and may be abandoned and simply become unproductive degraded land.

However, availability and accessibility of lime, transportation, and manual application to the farmland are challenging. Based on the degree of soil acidity, the amount of lime required can be high. Apart from the large quantity required (4 or more tonnes per ha), the price per unit is discouraging to smallholder farmers. The high price, poor supply, and delays in delivery are the main challenges to effectively address the prevailing issues of soil acidity.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos 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:

2017

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

• Bureau/office of agriculture

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The project is an Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM+) with a focus on acid soil management in the highland and high rainfall regions of Ethiopia through the application of integrated practices, and by adopting a participatory.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

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)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

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

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• integrated crop-livestock management
• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

The agronomic measures also involve the application of lime and mixing up with the soil weeks before planting the main crop.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The technology improves biomass production and the biodiversity of the farmland.

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

Comments:

The technology reduces soil acidity, improves soil productivity, and increases crop production.

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):

ETB

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

53.12

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Land preparation	In advance of the main planting season.
2.	Lime transportation to the farm	One month in advance
3.	Lime application	1 month before planting.

Comments:

The wage is inclusive to a pair of oxen.

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Land preparation	PDs	8.0	400.0	3200.0	100.0
Labour	Lime transportation	PDs	10.0	100.0	1000.0	100.0
Labour	Lime application	PDs	4.0	400.0	1600.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Lime	ton	2.0	5000.0	10000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					15800.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					297.44

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

ISFM+ of the GIZ covers input costs at the beginning of introducing the technology. Of course, the project covered input costs for 600m2 of the farmland just to demonstrate the technology.

Comments:

Uniformity of cost is the estimation for a hectare of land just to standardize and simplify understanding of the cost of technology. Otherwise, farmers apply lime on areas of land below a hectare, which could be on a quarter or one-eighth of a hectare. That is why the term local units such as "sanga" is introduced in subchapter 4.2 above. Essentially, as the availability of lime and affordability to access and transport to the farm is another issue, land users lime their farm on an incremental basis year and again.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Land preparation	2-3 times before lime application
2.	Lime application	A month before planting the crop.

Comments:

Other subsequent activities post planting such as weeding, harvesting, etc., are the regular jobs of the land users that are not computed as cost for adopting this technology.

4.6 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	Land preparation	PDs	8.0	400.0	3200.0	100.0
Labour	Lime application	PDs	4.0	400.0	1600.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Lime	ton	2.0	5000.0	10000.0	50.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					14800.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					278.61

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

Cost sharing of the land users is expected with the ISFM+ project to sustain independent uses of the inputs and avoidance of dependency on external actors. However, for the demonstration plots, the cost is covered by the project.

Comments:

Once applied, the lime believed to serve its purpose for about consecutive five years.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Global increment of Fuel prices influences the corresponding increase in the price of inputs and other services costs in addition to the prevailing economic crisis and persistently rising inflation.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

The type of soil is Nitisol with acidity of pH 4.94.

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:

The prevailing soil acidity strongly affected the diversity of flora and fauna.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The 73 year old land user is convinced by the effects of lime on treating soil acidity. The abandoned land regained its productive potential and favours the regeneration of the lost species.

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:

• state
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The land is inherited but administered by the state based on the existing constitution.

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

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	moderately
annual rainfall		decrease	moderately

Comments:

This part may not be directly related questions to the technology. However, liming acid soils improve the resilience of crops to decrease in rainfall as the technology gradually improves soil properties including water retention capacities.

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?

• 0-10%

Comments:

Few individuals did by their own.

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
Fix problem of soil acidity.
Increases crop production from a given land unit.
Increase biomass production and improve soil structure.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Improve land users understanding of SLM.
Motivate farmers to share cost for accessing the inputs or purchase it by their own.

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?
Demands a relatively higher amount to effectively treat a given land unit.	The land users need to treat their land on a gradual basis.
Difficult to transport large size of lime to the farm.	Need to mainstream well the cost-benefit of using lime to the land users.
Cost per 100 kg is high (about 500 ETB)	More subsidy is demanded from the government.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Low amount, and untimely supply of the inputs.	Serving providing organizations/governments need to increase the quantity of supply in time wanted by the land users.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Soil Acidity and its Management Options in Ethiopia: A Review. Golla, A. S. 2019. DOI:10.18535/ijsrm/v7i11.em01

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.ijsrm.in › index.php › ijsrm

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Leta, G., Schulz, S., Alemu, G. 2020. Agricultural extension approach: evidence from an Integrated Soil Fertility Management project in Ethiopia. Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering, 7(4): 1-13. DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2020331

Available from where? Costs?

http://journal.hep.com.cn/fase

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (SLMP) TRAINING SERIES: FIELD GUIDE TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT

URL:

www.slmethiopia.info.et

7.4 General comments

Page 13 crop rotation and intercropping interpolated, or the computer-based one does not matched with a paper-based questionnaire.