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)

Strengthening national-level institutional and professional capacities of country Parties towards enhanced UNCCD monitoring and reporting – GEF 7 EA Umbrella II (GEF 7 UNCCD Enabling Activities_Umbrella II)

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

National Soil Services Centre, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (NSSC) - Bhutan

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:

The technology described is not problematic with regard to land degradation.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Contour hedgerows are a soil and water conservation technology that involve planting of Napier grass cuttings along contour lines on the slope at a horizontal distance of 6 m. The area between the contour hedgerows is used for crop cultivation.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Contour hedgerows are a soil and water conservation technology that involves planting Napier stem cuttings along contour lines on slopes. They are planted at a horizontal distance of 6 meters between rows and 15-20 centimeters between cuttings within lines. On average it requires 3500-4000 Napier slips to cover one acre (0.4 ha). Hedgerows form living barriers that trap sediment and reduce surface runoff. With time, as the sediment builds up behind the hedges, the area between the hedgerows develops into flat alleys or “terrace beds”. This technology is effective in reducing soil erosion and conserving water. The hedgerows also boost crop productivity. The contour hedgerow system is widely used in hilly terrain in Bhutan and elsewhere.
The main purposes of the technology are to 1) serve as a barrier to check the movement of soil and water down the slope, 2) effectively utilize sloping areas for agricultural purposes, and 3) increase crop and fodder production.
The major activities/ inputs needed to establish/ maintain contour hedgerows are: 1) surveying of the area by an SLM specialist (planning and site assessment), 2) selecting suitable hedgerow planting materials, 3) registration of interested farmers, 4) training of farmers, 5) layout of contour lines using A-frames, 6) distribution of planting materials and establishment of hedgerows in farmland, 7) monitoring and evaluation of hedgerows, and 8) maintenance of hedgerows. Maintenance includes replacement of cuttings in gaps - either damaged by cattle or natural mortality and trimming of grass back to 15 centimeters after reaching 1 meter. Inputs required include: 1) planting materials (Napier grass), 2) A-Frame for contour lines, 3) spades, pickaxes, shovels, crowbars, etc., and 4) human resource input by SLM specialists.
Contour hedgerows have many benefits/ impacts on the livelihood of the land users including 1) soil and water conservation, 2) use of the sloping areas for crop or fodder production, 3) effective conservation through using local materials with a 90% survival rate, 4) habitat for natural predators, pollinators, insect-eating birds, and rodent predators, 5) groundwater recharge, and 6) they beautify the overall agricultural landscape. Another important benefit of the hedgerows is the availability of fodder grass for livestock, which otherwise would have to be collected from the forest. The disadvantages include the need for regular maintenance and gapping up. At times, conflicts arise within the community due to grazing of hedges by neighbors’ cattle.

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:

2014

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The project was funded by UNDP and technical support was provided by the SLM Specialists from the National Soil Service Center and the agriculture extension agent of Thangrong gewog.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• reduce risk of disasters
• 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?

• 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

Comments:

Water is a major constraint and land users mostly depend on rain for irrigation.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Napier grass were planted on the bunds if the already constructed terrace.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The technology addresses the issue of soil erosion through rain and prevented the degradation the top soil.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

The main goal of the technology is to combat farm land degradation and prevent soil erosion.

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):

Ngultrum

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

82.08

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Planning	done between the stakeholders several times
2.	Community meeting and member agreement	twice
3.	Training and workshop	for almost a week
4.	Demonstration	once
5.	Implementation (Planting of napier in the field in groups)	based on the land users convenience and season of plantation

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	Labours	person-days	4.0	250.0	1000.0	100.0
Plant material	Napier	bundle	35.0	200.0	7000.0
Other	Payment for resource persons	No of days	5.0	1500.0	7500.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					15500.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					188.84

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

The funding was provided by UNDP, with technical support from the National Soil Services Center and the Dzongkhag.

Comments:

The cost breakdown of the technology establishment was for one acre of land.
The total grant amount was Nu. 2,834,416, however, the total budget for Boucholing specifically was not available.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Harvesting, cutting of napier and maintaining the height of the plant	when the napier reaches a height of one meter
2.	Replacing of missing and damaged hills	whenever possible

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	labour	person-days	2.0	250.0	500.0	100.0
Plant material	Napier slips	Bundle	10.0	200.0	2000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					2500.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					30.46

Comments:

Minimal cost go into the maintenance of the hedgerows.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour cost and cost of the planting materials.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Contour hedgerows can be applied in both concave and convex situations, so not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

The flooding of the area occurs mostly due to heavy rainfall and some surface water.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Higher diversity because Napier grass adds to diversity to already existing crops.

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, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The traditional legal system in our country is as per the land act and rules and regulations which dictate the land use in the country.

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

Water cycle/ runoff

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	well
annual rainfall		decrease	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well
local thunderstorm	very well
local hailstorm	well
local windstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
landslide	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)?

Comments:

Since the project was fully funded and minimal cost went into its establishment by the land users, the benefits are higher.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

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

40 households

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

• 0-10%

Comments:

Since the program was supported by project, the labor were contributed by the land user while the inputs in all sites were provided by the project at every household level.

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
Hedgerow requires less management
Napier are also used as fodder for livestock
Prevents the land from erosion due to heavy rain
Helps in build up of terraces and facilitates in mechanization of farm

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Additional income opportunities through the production of marketable products from hedgerow vegetation.
Improved livelihoods for communities through long-term agricultural productivity.
Support for sustainable agricultural practices and resilient farming systems.
Preservation of fertile land and protection of agricultural resources.

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?
Grazing of hedges by free cattle in absence of fences in farm land	Establish community byelaws not to let their cattle free in the fields or install fencing aroung the field.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Shading and potential competition with crops for soil nutrients by hedges	Maintaining height and width of hedges
The establishment and maintenance of contour hedgerows require time, effort, and financial resources	The funding for the establishment of technology has already been provided and for maintenance, the expenditure is minimal.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

ICIMOD. (1999). Manual on Contour Hedgerow Inter-cropping Technology. ICIMOD.

Available from where? Costs?

https://lib.icimod.org/record/31840/files/manual_on_contour_hedgerow_inter-cropping_technology.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Pellek, R. (1992). Contour hedgerows and other soil conservation interventions for hilly terrain. Agroforestry Systems, 17, 135-152.

Available from where? Costs?

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00053118

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Kaushal, R., Mandal, D., Panwar, P., Rajkumar, Kumar, P., Tomar, J. M. S. & Mehta, H. (2021). Chapter 20 - Soil and water conservation benefits of agroforestry.

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128229316000204

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Sustainable Land Management for improved land productivity and community livelihood in Thangrong, Mongar

URL:

https://sgp.undp.org/spacial-itemid-projects-landing-page/spacial-itemid-project-search-results/spacial-itemid-project-detailpage.html?view=projectdetail&id=27647

Title/ description:

Soil erosion control with contour planting

URL:

https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/Units/Library/Books/Book%2082/imperata%20grassland/html/4.1_soil.htm?n=20

Title/ description:

Sustainable Land Management: Guidelines and Best Practices 2021

URL:

https://www.nssc.gov.bt