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)

GIZ Bénin (GIZ Bénin) - Benin

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:

Production of cassava (Manihot esculenta) helps to address drought and improves food security.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a shrub that produces an abundance of nutritious leaves, and large tubers rich in carbohydrates (starch) and is gluten-free. However, it requires nine months of vegetal development.
The technology used to grow drought-tolerant crops such as cassava is applied to flood-free arable lands. Cassava is best grown in sandy loam soils (made up of silt and sand) or sandy clay soil (made up of clay and sand). In other words, it thrives in permeable, deep soils rich in organic matter, ideally flat or gently sloping. The soil needs to be worked to a depth of at least 20 cm to create ridges or mounds of loosened soil to cover the roots as they develop and ensure good drainage.
This technology is designed to:
- guarantee reliable food production in drought conditions;
- control rainwater to facilitate soil drainage and aeration while preventing flooding;
- enhance air circulation within the soil.
When selecting plant materials, cuttings are taken from the central part of the stem. These cuttings are collected from freshly harvested stems aged between 12 to 18 months, specifically from the portion of the stem where the cross-section exhibits a diameter equal to or greater than twice the diameter of the central part. It is strongly recommended that cuttings already infected with pathogens and pests be avoided, as most cassava diseases and pests are transmitted by cuttings. To breed improved varieties, producers sometimes opt to purchase cuttings. To mitigate the risk of losing cuttings, producers immerse them either in hot water at 50°C for 15 minutes or in a pesticide solution (a mixture of fungicide and insecticide) to kill insects adhering to the cuttings and reduce the incidence of anthracnose.
For one hectare, approximately 8,350 cuttings are needed, with a spacing of 1 meter between planting units and 1.2 meters between rows. Growers conduct maintenance operations focusing on the following aspects:
- Plant replacement: dead or weak seedlings or seedlings showing signs of disease (dwarfing, white, yellow colour, mosaic, etc.) are identified, pulled out and replaced by new cuttings
- Weeding: the producers carry out three mandatory weeding operations, 3 to 4 weeks, 7 to 9 weeks and 12 to 14 weeks after performing the cuttings, to make sure the seedlings grow properly and are protected from rodents and other pests

The harvest, typically conducted between the 9th and 18th month, has the potential to reach 35 tons per hectare, demanding significant labour and transportation efforts.

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

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Cassava has been grown for decades. However, the efforts of ProSOL have brought increased attention to cassava cultivation as a climate change adaptation strategy.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce risk of disasters
• 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

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

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• integrated soil fertility management

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 area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

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

613.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Clearing	Mach-April
2.	Ploughing/Ridging	May-June
3.	Purchase of cuttings	June
4.	Planting	June-July

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	Clearing	ha	1.0	17500.0	17500.0	100.0
Labour	Ploughing/Ridging	ha	1.0	24000.0	24000.0	100.0
Labour	Planting	ha	1.0	50000.0	50000.0	100.0
Plant material	Purchase of cuttings	ha	1.0	50000.0	50000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					141500.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					230.83

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Cutting	July
2.	Clearing	July
3.	Firebreak	December-January
4.	Harvest	February-June

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	Cutting	ha	1.0	10000.0	10000.0	100.0
Labour	Firebreak	ha	1.0	10000.0	10000.0	100.0
Labour	Clearing	ha	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Labour	Harvest	ha	1.0	80000.0	80000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					115000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					187.6

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most substantial costs are associated with harvesting, primarily due to its labor-intensive nature. Significant expenditures also arise from purchasing cuttings and the process of taking cuttings. Therefore, the most important factors affecting costs are labor and the purchase of cuttings.

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

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)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The lands belong to the local authorities.

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

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	dry season	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)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

Cassava cultivation is already routinely practiced by farmers.

6.6 Adaptation

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

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• changing markets

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Producers are increasingly seeking improved varieties that exhibit heightened resistance to pest attacks and can endure challenging drought conditions.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Edibility of tubers
Crops with low water requirements
Improved food security
A real source of income-generating activities for women

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Empowerment of women

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?
High cost of seeds	Promoting the emergence of seed producers
Animal wanderingr	Raising awareness among farmers
Lack of modern harvesting equipment	Forming cooperatives to build capacity to lobby decision-makers
Painstaking tillage of the soil	Finding sufficient manpower

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Sources of conflict between farmers and stockbreeders due to animal wandering	Raising awareness among farmers Drawing up crossing corridors
The extended period of plant development poses a constraint for farmers, especially when they have limited land available	Working to find shorter-cycle varieties
Toxicity in the event of incorrect preparation	- Prolonged boiling in water - Fermentation and sun or oven drying - Peeling and blanching in boiling water

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Allagbé M., Djinadou A. K. A., Bankolé C., 2015. Association du maïs et du pois d'Angole pour l'amélioration de la fertilité et de l'humidité du sol au Sud-Bénin. INRAB, CORAF

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

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Adjanohoun Adolphe, Allagbé Marcellin, 2011. Pour une meilleure production du manioc au Sud et au Centre du Bénin. 43p-. INRAB, Bénin : Cotonou, 2011

Title, author, year, ISBN:

PADYP, 2012. Module Production végétale Fiche 3 : La culture du manioc,

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

FICHE-TECHNIQUE-4-ITINERAIRE-TECHNIQUE-DU-MANIOC

URL:

https://ifdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FICHE-TECHNIQUE-4-ITINERAIRE-TECHNIQUE-DU-MANIOC-CASSAVA-TECHNICAL-ITINERARY.pdf