Technologies

Stone faced trench bund [Ethiopia]

Emni Getsel metrebawizala

technologies_991 - Ethiopia

Completeness: 67%

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:

Dawit Michael

Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Ethiopia

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MoA) - Ethiopia

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:

It is an allignment of stones embankment at the lower/downslope of the trench dug to form earth embankment following a contour.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Description: digging of foundation, stone wall constructionof 60-80 m, digging of trench along the contour Purpose: decrease soil erosion, moisture harvesting, decrease slope length, reduce runoff velocity and increase productivity per unit area Establishment/Maintenance: planting of fodder trees and integrate with biological measures Environment: enhance to grow natural grasses and vegetation, minimize desertification, recharge ground water and improve local climate

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:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

Tigray

Further specification of location:

Adet Naedir

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 32 km2.

This data is based on the Adet Naedir office of Agriculture and Natural Resources

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

Developed in the region

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
  • cereals - maize
  • cereals - sorghum
  • legumes and pulses - beans
  • teff, Lentile, flux, niger seed
  • leucanea, sesbanea
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120Longest growing period from month to month: Jun - Oct

Grazing land

Grazing land

Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

Products and services:
  • Timber
  • Fuelwood
  • Grazing/ browsing
  • Nature conservation/ protection
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Decline of soil fertility and productivity, soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Decrease in production, low moisture content of the soil, drought and deforestation

Plantation forestry: deforestation

Problems / comments regarding forest use: Basically the forest land is open wood/shrub cover and used for grazing/browsing at the same time
Ge: Extensive grazing land

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

  • cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
  • A3: Soil surface treatment
  • A6: Residue management
  • A7: Others
vegetative measures

vegetative measures

structural measures

structural measures

Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

Secondary measures: agronomic measures, vegetative measures

Type of agronomic measures: better crop cover, manure / compost / residues, mineral (inorganic) fertilizers, contour tillage

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Ca: acidification
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Ca: acidification

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
Comments:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

Secondary goals: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

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: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, increase / maintain water stored in soil

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope length, increase of infiltration, water harvesting / increase water supply

Better crop cover
Material/ species: teff, sorghum

Agronomic measure: row planting
Material/ species: maize
Quantity/ density: 45,000/ha
Remarks: planting on rows along the contour

Contour tillage
Remarks: farmers plow their land along the contour

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs, G : grass
Number of plants per (ha): 100-150
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 20-25m
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2.5 m
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1

Trees/ shrubs species: leucanea, sesbanea

Grass species: local grasses

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 12.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 12.00%

Bund/ bank: level
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Spacing between structures (m): 20-25m
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.3m
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5m
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5-0.75m
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1m
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 60-80m

Structural measure: bund / bank: level
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1m
Spacing between structures (m): 20-25m
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5-0.75m
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5-0.75m
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5-0.75m

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 12%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Birr

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

8.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

0.88

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. seedling production Dec.-June
2. seedling planting June-July
3. collection of stones dry season
4. placing of stones dry season
5. digging of trench dry season
6. embanking of soil dry season

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 1.0 118.0 118.0 100.0
Equipment Animal traction ha 1.0 20.0 20.0 100.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 2.0 2.0 100.0
Plant material Seeds ha 1.0 6.25 6.25 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Fertilizer ha 1.0 33.75 33.75 100.0
Other Other cost ha 1.0 17.5 17.5 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 197.5
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 24.69
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 48 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. plowing March-July / 3-4 times
2. sowing June-July / Once
3. Weeding July-August / twice
4. harvest Oct.-Dec. / once
5. Replanting July /once

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 10.5 10.5 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 10.5
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 1.31
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: crawbar, hammer, shovel, digging hoe

length of the structure and tree seedlings per hectar

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

labour, slope

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
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

550.00

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid
  • semi-arid

Semi arid covers larger area

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.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: Hill slopes coer a larger area of the woreda but there are also footslopes and plateaus/plains
Slopes on average: Also Rolling and moderate

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):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
  • 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 depth on average: Also very shallow and moderately deep
Soil texture: Also coarse/light and fine/heavy
Soil fertility is low. Also very low and medium
Topsoil organic matter: Low (this data is based of physical observation on crop performance)
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium. Also good and poor
Soil water storage capacity is low. Also medium, very low.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%; 3%
10% of the land users are rich and own 15% of the land.
40% of the land users are average wealthy and own 45% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 25% of the land.
20% of the land users are poor and own 15% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: daily labourer in town, food for work
Level of mechanization: Manual labour and animal traction (oxen plow)

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
Comments:

Cropland: Average land holding is 0.5 ha.
Forest/woodland per household: 0.5- 1 ha (most of the forest/bush lands are owned communally, but some farmers owned their own woodlots, 0.25ha per household)

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

Land ownership:
  • state
Land use rights:
  • open access (unorganized)
  • individual

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased

wood production

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased

land management

hindered
simplified
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

national institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Can lead to waterlogging

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Other ecological impacts

Biodiversity

decreased
increased

Soil fertility

decreased
increased

Increased input constraints

increased
decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

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

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

109035 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: survey results

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: some individual farmers are applying the technology on their farm land by their own.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
increase in productivity

How can they be sustained / enhanced? continous maintenance,
increase soil fertility

How can they be sustained / enhanced? integrate biological SWC measures
increase fodder availability

How can they be sustained / enhanced? planting of fooder trees and grass species on the enbankments
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
decrease soil erosion

How can they be sustained / enhanced? By integrating area closure on the up slopes and incorporate biological SWC
moisture harvesting
increase production
enhance vegetation growth
decrease runoff velocity

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?
loss of cultivated land increase the land productivity by incorporating biological measures in the system
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
labour intensive mobilization of the community
hinder farm operation enlarge the spacing between bunds

Links and modules

Expand all Collapse all

Modules