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)

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:

Minimum tillage consists of working the soil superficially using a tined plough to scarify it and break up the previous year's ridges. This is a soil preparation technique that consists of not turning over the soil, which is a key principle of conservation agriculture.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Minimum tillage prevents the degradation of soil structure, the loss of organic matter and soil biodiversity, while maintaining and restoring soil fertility. Thereby it fosters optimal conditions for crop growth and development while contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation. In this case study, the technology involves surface-level soil manipulation using a tined implement, which can be pulled by either animal traction or a tractor. The adjustable tine, typically attached to a multi-cultivator or plough, aids in de-compacting and loosening the surface layer of the soil, a process feasible in both "dry" or "pre-wet" conditions. In this instance, draft oxen equipped with a single-tooth plough were employed, enabling the preparation of ten hectares annually. Alternatively, for farmers lacking oxen and equipment, rental options are available, typically ranging from 12,500 to 15,000 FCFA per hectare.
This minimum tillage approach involves scarifying sandy or stony soils - a swift soil preparation method typically targeting the upper five centimetres. This technique, performed with tools like the manga hoe or toothed triangle, does not involve soil inversion but effectively destroys weeds and prepares the seedbed, breaking up the previous year's ridges with one or more tines, reaching a maximum depth of 15 centimetres. Ridge spacing can vary from 50 to 70 centimetres based on the crop type.
These methods contribute to soil loosening, while mitigating the exposure and mineralization of soil organic matter. They facilitate enhanced retention and infiltration of early rainfall, thereby improving the soil water profile during the growing season. Consequently, the soil is less susceptible to erosive runoff effects while also bolstering mineral and water resources at the beginning of the crop cycle. This technology limits weed infestations through weed control and promotes the decomposition of plant residues and surface amendments by soil organisms. Key activities associated with implementing this technology include stump removal and single-pass ridge breaking.
The main inputs required for minimum tillage are oxen and ploughs. To restore soil fertility more efficiently, the farmer employs crop rotation strategies such as cotton-maize-red sorghum and red sorghum-cotton-cotton-soybean-cowpea rotations. This is important as the plants have neither the same needs nor the same competitors. Weed control is achieved through hoeing and herbicide use. Utilizing a tine cultivator is faster and less labour-intensive than traditional ploughing, which involves soil inversion. In addition, they assert that besides minimizing soil disturbance, it enhances water infiltration in-field. Additionally, they contend that its capacity for water retention significantly increases the likelihood of plant survival during dry spells.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Burkina Faso

Region/ State/ Province:

Hauts-Bassins region/Houet province/Léna commune

Further specification of location:

Kofila

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2015

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• karite (sheanut)

• Néré

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

No

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Cotton, maize, red sorghum. Red sorghum, cotton; Cotton, soybean, cowpea.

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)

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)
• minimal soil disturbance

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A3: Soil surface treatment

A3: Differentiate tillage systems:

A 3.2: Reduced tillage (> 30% soil cover)

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

soil erosion by wind

• Et: loss of topsoil

biological degradation

• Bq: quantity/ biomass decline

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce 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 =:

598.7

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Information on urea and NPK quantities relates to maize production. These are quantities calculated per hectare. For herbicides, the dose is three liters per hectare, with two applications per crop year.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most important factor affecting costs is the availability of labor and fluctuating agricultural input prices. For example, a bottle of pesticide, which used to cost CFA F 2,250 over the last few years, now costs CFA F 3,700.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The site under consideration is located at an altitude of 299 m.

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 soils in the area are predominantly tropical ferruginous soils with minimal or no leaching, and mostly deep hydromorphic (waterlogged) soils (over 100 cm deep). The sandy-clay nature of these soils makes them sensitive to water erosion.

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:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• leased

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

Due to the sacred nature of the land, custom dictates that its management must not be subject to speculation

Comments:

Beyond the legal procedure for acquiring land, whereby a land title is granted, which is rarely applied, land tenure practices in the villages are guided by local habits and customs. Other common ways of accessing land in the village of Kofila are essentially through inheritance and borrowing. The other modes of access (lending, leasing and buying) do not appear to be common practice, nor a perceptible reality.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Soil

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

No impact off-site

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

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?

• 51-90%

6.6 Adaptation

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

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Catalogue de fiches techniques des mesures d’amélioration de la fertilité des sols, Projet « Réhabilitation et protection des sols dégradés et renforcement des instances foncières locales dans les zones rurales du Burkina Faso » (ProSol), 2020/A catalog of data sheets on soil fertility improvement measures, under the project entitled "Rehabilitation and protection of degraded soils and strengthening of local land tenure bodies in the rural areas of Burkina Faso" (ProSol), 2020

Available from where? Costs?

Available at ProSol-Burkina Faso

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Diagnostic sur les sites d’extension de quatre (04) micros bassins versants au profit du ProSol, Projet « Réhabilitation et protection des sols dégradés et renforcement des instances foncières locales dans les zones rurales du Burkina Faso » (ProSol), 2020/A diagnostic assessment of the extension sites of four (04) micro-catchment areas for the ProSol project, "Rehabilitation and protection of degraded soils and strengthening of local land tenure bodies in the rural areas of Burkina Faso" (ProSol), 2020

Available from where? Costs?

Available at ProSol-Burkina Faso

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Étude sur l’analyse coûts-bénéfices et économiques des mesures CES/DRS promues par ProSol, Projet « Réhabilitation et protection des sols dégradés et renforcement des instances foncières locales dans les zones rurales du Burkina Faso » (ProSol), 2020/A study on the cost-benefit and economic analysis of the WSC/SDR measures promoted by ProSol, under the project entitled "Rehabilitation and protection of degraded soils and strengthening of local land tenure bodies in the rural areas of Burkina Faso" (ProSol), 2020

Available from where? Costs?

Available at ProSol-Burkina Faso

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Gestion Durable des Terres (GDT) sensible genre, Projet « Réhabilitation et protection des sols dégradés et renforcement des instances foncières locales dans les zones rurales du Burkina Faso » (ProSol), 2021/Gender-sensitive Sustainable Land Management (SLM), under the project entitled "Rehabilitation and protection of degraded soils and strengthening of local land tenure bodies in the rural areas of Burkina Faso" (ProSol), 2021

Available from where? Costs?

Available at ProSol-Burkina Faso