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)

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:

The half-moon technique is designed to enhance water retention and soil infiltration. This is achieved by constructing crescent-shaped mounds around the base of trees. A compass can be used to outline a semi-circle with a diameter of 4 meters. The soil within this outlined area is then excavated and used to form a ridge.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The half-moon technique is commonly used on sloping land in arid or semi-arid climates, especially for fruit plantations such as cashew and orange trees. It involves clearing the ground to create basin-like structures, which are a few meters in diameter and bordered by ridges. This technique is essentially used to (i) cultivate encrusted land, (ii) reduce runoff, (iii) concentrate rainwater at the foot of trees by improving its infiltration into the soil, (iv) induce early flowering of fruit trees, (v) improve fruit tree production and (vi) restore biological diversity to agroecosystems.
The protocol for installing the technique is as follows :
-Use a compass with a 2-meter radius to pivot and create the half-moon shape;
-Use a pick, pickaxe, and shovel to dig the half-moon to a depth of 15 to 20 cm;
-Build the ridges starting from the inside and working outward. The height of the ridges can vary, depending on the slope severity, but can reach up to 40 cm;
-Arrange the half-moons in a staggered pattern perpendicular to the slope or following the contour lines; and
-Maintain a 4-metre spacing between two rows of half-moons.
It is recommended to enrich the half-moons with organic fertilizer or well-decomposed compost. Depending on availability, up to 35 kg of compost or manure, or a wheelbarrow full, could be added to each half-moon. Once the half-moon has been installed, it is recommended that it be systematically mulched to minimize moisture loss.
The half-moon technique can be implemented at any time of the year, but preferably in February-March or August-September on orange and cashew trees, to maintain structures designed to collect runoff water. To ensure the longevity of the technique, it is advisable to reshape larger ridges whenever their size diminishes, to strengthen the barrier.

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:

2020

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The half-moon technology was implemented under the German Cooperation-funded Soil Rehabilitation and Restoration Project (ProSOL)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• 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?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

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

• agroforestry
• integrated soil fertility management
• water harvesting

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation
• adapt to land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

CFA F

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

615.18

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Sourcing the straw	January
2.	Demarcation of the semi-circles	April
3.	Digging to create ridges	April
4.	Mulching	April

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	Sourcing the straw	Half moon	625.0	50.0	31250.0	100.0
Labour	Demarcation of the semi-circles	Half moon	625.0	50.0	31250.0	100.0
Labour	Digging to create ridges	Half moon	625.0	100.0	62500.0	100.0
Equipment	Pickaxe or daba	Unit	3500.0	1.0	3500.0	100.0
Construction material	Straw	Half moon	625.0	50.0	31250.0	100.0
Construction material	Compost	Half moon	625.0	1000.0	625000.0	99.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					784750.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					1275.64

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Addition of manure or compost	June to July
2.	Weeding	June to October
3.	Filling in collapsed areas (due to water)	June to September
4.	Mulching	June to September

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	Maintenance/Weeding	Half moon	625.0	25.0	15625.0	100.0
Labour	Mulching	Half moon	625.0	25.0	15625.0	100.0
Labour	Filling in collapsed areas (due to water)	Half moon	625.0	50.0	31250.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Addition of manure or compost	Half moon	625.0	100.0	62500.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					125000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					203.19

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Salaried labour is a limiting factor affecting costs.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

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

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:

• communal/ village

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• leased

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The village has land chiefs responsible for managing and organizing land use.

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

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	moderately
seasonal temperature	dry season	increase	well
annual rainfall		decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	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)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 11-50%

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

50 ha

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

• 11-50%

Comments:

Observing the positive impacts on other producers, some late adopters did not require encouragement. They embraced the technique on 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
Enhanced soil fertility; increased crop yields
Facilitation of water infiltration
Water and wind erosion control

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Rainwater catchment
Resistance to climatic hazards; high retention capacity for vegetal matter and dissolved particles

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?
Labour-intensive	Combine workers (salaried and family) for synergistic action
Very slow soil restoration speed	Add organic matter
Flooding of the excavated surface during heavy rains	Drain in the event of flooding, since the technology is more suited to arid and semi-arid zones

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Compost or organic fertilizer required	Mineral fertilizers to be added if compost or manure is difficult to produce
Very slow soil restoration speed	Use of mineral fertilizers before the start of the fertilizing process

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, 2018. Compendium de fiches techniques du formateur

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, 2018. Mesures de Gestion Durable des Terres (GDT) et d’Adaptation au Changement Climatique (ACC) : Boîte à images pour l’animation des séances de formation avec les agriculteurs

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Communal Approach to the Agricultural Market (Phase 2) INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT (ISFM)

URL:

https://ifdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FICHE-TECHNIQUE-1-GESTION-INTEGREE-DE-LA-FERTILITE-DES-SOLS-ET-PRINCIPES-DE-BASE-INTEGRATED-MANAGEMENT-OF-SOIL-FERTILITY-AND-BASIC-PRINCIPLES.pdf