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:

Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) is an annual herbaceous legume used as a cover crop to restore soil fertility. Beyond its nitrogen-fixing properties, its dense foliage is a living mulch that helps replenish the soil's organic matter content, capturing rainwater, protecting the soil from erosion and keeping weeds under control.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) is planted by farmers as a cover crop to rejuvenate infertile, weed-infested soils, such as those infested by Imperata sp. and Striga sp., or simply to improve soil of poor or moderately fertility. It thrives in diverse soil types, including sandy, clayey, and highly acidic soils. While it is sensitive to waterlogged conditions, the Cochinchinensis variety (white in colour) exhibits tolerance to temporary flooding.
For pure stand cultivation, farmers typically sow two seeds per hole, spaced at 0.80 meters between rows and 0.40 meters within rows, requiring 30 kilograms per hectare of seed. Seeding is timed to coincide with the onset of the rainy season, with the plant's growth cycle varying from 100 to 300 days.
After successful emergence, farmers typically weed Mucuna fields once or twice, depending on the extent of weed growth. This allows the legume to establish itself effectively, forming a dense cover that outcompetes weeds. To boost productivity, farmers opt to retain trees within the fields. These trees serve as natural supports for Mucuna to climb, enhancing the number of inflorescences per plant, the quantity of seeds per pod, and the germination rate of harvested seeds. Mucuna completes its life cycle after producing seeds.
Farmers have reported improved yields for crops planted after Mucuna. For instance, maize yields typically range from 2.5 to 3 tonnes per hectare when cultivated on land previously planted with Mucuna, compared to 1.5 tonnes previously. This performance has earned Mucuna the name "Miracle Plant" among farmers. In summary, Mucuna demonstrates positive effects on various soil components, including good moisture retention, sunlight protection, enhanced microbial activity, and organic matter enrichment. As a result, farmers notice that the soil is well aerated, loose and porous. The leaves are good fodder for livestock, especially for housed sheep.
The majority of farmers prefer Mucuna for its efficacy in suppressing weeds such as striga and Imperata indica, as well as its capability to replenish soil nutrients. Nonetheless, Mucuna has certain drawbacks, notably serving as a habitat for reptiles, including snakes.

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:

2016

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Mucuna was introduced to the commune of Bantè through ProSOL/Benin.

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?

• 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

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• 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
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

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

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 =:

615.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Clearing	May-June
2.	Ploughing	June-July
3.	Seeding	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	ha	1.0	25000.0	25000.0	100.0
Labour	Seeding	ha	1.0	10000.0	10000.0	100.0
Labour		ha	1.0	20000.0	20000.0	100.0
Equipment						100.0
Equipment						100.0
Equipment	Daba	Unit	1.0	4000.0	4000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	Unit	1.0	3000.0	3000.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	Kilogram	30.0	500.0	15000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					94500.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					153.66

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding	July-August
2.	Harvest	November-December
3.	Threshing	December
4.	Firebreaking	November-December

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	Weeding	ha	1.0	20000.0	20000.0	100.0
Labour	Harvest	ha	1.0	12500.0	12500.0	100.0
Labour	Threshing	ha	1.0	12500.0	12500.0	100.0
Labour	Firewalling	ha	1.0	12500.0	12500.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					57500.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					93.5

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Paid labour for harvesting is a limiting factor.

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:

Land belongs to families: communities

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	moderately
annual rainfall		increase	not well
seasonal rainfall	dry season	increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	moderately

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?

• 11-50%

Comments:

These are farmers who systematically prepared the soil for planting Mucuna after the training courses and who were prepared to pay for the seed themselves.

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
Improved soil fertility
Improved yields
Reduced erosion
Weed control capacity
Soil moisture retention capacity
Animal feed (ruminants)

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Enhanced microbial life
Soil moisture conservation
Increased biomass forming green manure
Reduced expenditure on agricultural inputs

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?
Very slow rate of soil restoration	Gradually focus on planting Mucuna in areas with soil deficiencies
Attraction of reptiles	Wear boots and gloves

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Maintenance difficulties, sudden bursting of pods	Harvesting before the Harmattan sets in

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:

Amadji F., Ahouanton K., Tarawali S. 2003. Fiche technique illustrée –Mucuna pour une amélioration durable de la fertilité du sol et des rendements au centre et au sud du Bénin. INRAB, ILRI, IITA, 2 p

Title, author, year, ISBN:

AZONTONDE A. H., FELLER C., REMY J.-C., 1998. Le mucuna et la restauration des propriétés d'un sol ferraiIitique au sud du Bénin

Available from where? Costs?

https://agritrop.cirad.fr/390388/1/document_390388.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

BALOGOUN I., OGOUDJOBI S. L., OROU BERO E., DAHODO B., VIDINHOUEDE R. et HOUNGNANDAN P., 2022. Performance agronomique du Mucuna pruriens sur la culture du maïs et la fertilité chimique des sols ferralitiques au Sud-Bénin

Available from where? Costs?

http://ajol.info/index.php/ijbcs

Title, author, year, ISBN:

AKLAMAVO M., MENSAH G.A. 1997. Quelques aspects de l'utilisation du mucuna en milieu rural en République du Bénin. Bulletin de la Recherche Agronomique 9 : 34-46.

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.slire.net/download/1106/aklamavo_bra_019_1997-3.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Barthès B., Azontonde A. et Feller C., 2017. Effets du Mucuna sur la production et la durabilité de systèmes de culture à base de maïs au Sud-Bénin

Available from where? Costs?

https://books.openedition.org/irdeditions/24384?lang=fr

Title, author, year, ISBN:

ALLAGBE M., DJINADOU A. K. A., BANKOLE C., HINVI J., AZELOKONON O., HOUNTONDJI A. Y., ADJANOHOUN A., JALLOH A.; 2015. Association maïs-mucuna pour une gestion durable de l'humidité et de la fertilité des sols au Sud et au Centre du Bénin

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331861866_FICHE_TECHNIQUE_07