Technologies

Mulching of perrenial crops [Uganda]

technologies_989 - Uganda

Completeness: 63%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Emasu Ogwella

MAAIF

Uganda

SLM specialist:

Ajaru Ali Alias

MAAIF

Uganda

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Ministry of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries (MAAIF) - Uganda

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

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

mulching of perrenial crops (Banans and pineapples) to conserve moisture

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Dry vegetation is used to mulch bananas and pineapples.

Purpose of the Technology: To conserve soil moisture which is a major constraint in the area.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Maintenance: Termites usually destroys the mulch material, this mulch materials are replaced.

Natural / human environment: the technology is an agronomic measure applied on perrenial crops in a semi arid area. Mainly to conserve soil moisture which is very limiting. The soil type is predominantly sandy free drained shallow and medium to low fertility.

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

Country:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Kumi/Soroti/Katakwi

Further specification of location:

Kumi/Soroti/Katakwi

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 10-100 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 30 km2.

Area includes all farmers who have adopted

2.6 Date of implementation

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 projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

through the farmers own intiative.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • conserve ecosystem

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
  • cereals - millet
  • cereals - sorghum
  • oilseed crops - groundnuts
Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:
  • banana/plantain/abaca
  • pineapple
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 90 Longest growing period from month to month: Mar - Jun Second longest growing period in days: 60 Second longest growing period from month to month: Aug - Dec

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion, Fertility decline, hard pan.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Soil erosion, fertility decline, underlying gravel

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
Comments:

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: increase / maintain water stored in soil

Secondary technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase of infiltration

Mulching
Material/ species: grass leaves, stovers
Quantity/ density: 6'' depth
Remarks: full cover on the beds across the slopes

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: cowdung, ash, fym, water

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 Labour ha 1.0 30.0 30.0 100.0
Equipment Animal traction ha 1.0 5.0 5.0 100.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 500.0 500.0
Equipment Machine use ha 1.0 60.0 60.0 100.0
Plant material Seedlings ha 1.0 190.0 190.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Compost manure ha 1.0 360.0 360.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 1145.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 1145.0
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Clear site, make channels, dig holes for bananas, place compost dry season / once
2. Plant grass first rains / each cropping season
3. Collecting of mulch dry season / each cropping season
4. Mulching dry / frequently

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 ha 1.0 10.0 10.0 100.0
Plant material Seedlings ha 1.0 70.0 70.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Compost/manure ha 1.0 360.0 360.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 440.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 440.0
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: hoes, machette, plough, spade, tape measure, garden rake

dimension of structure is 32 * 40 M, plot size is 20 * 5 M, channels are 0.6 * 0.6 M deep, banana holes are 0.3 * 0.3 M

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

labour and tool are expensive

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility: Low
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: Very low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
  • rich
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 1% - 2%
1% of the land users are rich and own 5% of the land.
2% of the land users are average wealthy and own 10% of the land.
75% of the land users are poor and own 75% of the land.
22% of the land users are poor and own 10% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: only petty trade

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • individual

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

workload

increased
decreased
Other socio-economic impacts

On farm employment

decreased
increased

Socio-cultural impacts

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

wind velocity

increased
decreased
Other ecological impacts

Good Environment

decreased
increased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

wind transported sediments

increased
reduced

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: trend growing moderately

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
improved soil moisture
added nutrients
maintenance of soil fertility
soil conservation
weedin cost reduced
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
increase in soil moisture
additional nutrients

How can they be sustained / enhanced? adding fermented urine
improved fertility

How can they be sustained / enhanced? add manure
soil conservation
suppression of weeds

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?
same as above
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
financial constraints obtain grants
labour constrains use termite repellants
mulch destroyed by termites

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

Links and modules

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