1
point
Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) for erosion control and other services in Tanzania

General    Luvilukuni, Tanzania

This is a followup question to one that I had posted with regard to cover crops for erosion control in Tanzania ( see an additional picture below).
I have been thinking about trying Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) for some time, but do not know much about its water and nutrient requirements and am also finding it difficult to locate a reliable seed source in Africa.
Any general advice on establishing and managing this plant for erosion control and forage production in a very difficult environment would be much appreciated.


Posted by: Markus Walsh (4 points) Markus Walsh
Posted: March 10, 2013




Answers

3
points
Hi Markus
Is it your idea that Kenaf could also be a source of income for the fibre it produces. You said last time that the farmers have one maize crop/year and also cattle. If you think the farmers could use Kenaf that would be a useful erosion control measure.
Basically any grass system surrounding the crops are good to create a hedge. A very popular approach in cassava in Asia (which is typically on hills and not on flat ground as in Africa) is the use of Vetifer grass. This also works in Africa and you can see an excellent video here from Ethopia showing how planting of a Vetifer grass hedge reduced soil loss and nutrient loss. The hedge builds up over years to become stronger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IKu8...
http://www.vetiver.org/THA_cassava.htm

Here is another video on vetiver grass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jrMW... There is a vetiver grass that was set up by the World Bank network and it in Tanzania http://www.vetiver.org/ICV3-Proceedin...

One other method is the use of Elephant grass or Napier grass. This is the plant that is advocated to be planted alongside maize because it is more attractive to the maize borer pest in what is the 'push-pull' approach (it pulls the pest off the maize). Because Napier grass makes a great hedge that reduces the erosion but also protects the maize I would advocate that.

The following paper talks about using it in combination with new trees.
http://www.ku.ac.ke/schools/environme...
And you should plant as many trees as possible, as quickly as possible. (see the answer previously on this from Nicholas Wrightman https://www.plantvillage.com/posts/258)

Here is a really good presentation showing pictures of erosions, the strips of grass and tests that evaluated the benefits of Napier versus vetiver.
http://www.vetiver.com/KEN_Edgerton_t...

In conclusion. I would like to hear why you want Ketaf? Perhaps there is a local market? if not and if getting seeds is hard then I would think the tried and tested Vetiver/Napier grass hedges. With tress and with gabions that we spoke about last time.

We will get you other answers as well.


ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Markus,
After your comment it seems that Kenaf might be useful both as a stepping stone and source of income. So I sourced some cultivation information as that was part of your original query. If you have any problems accessing this tell me and I can copy paste
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/du...
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?L...

Also, if you cannot get rocks for gabions is it possible to do sand dams (as in the first answer and also here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjzcf...)

david


Posted by: David Hughes (66 points) David Hughes
Posted: March 10, 2013


Markus Walsh commented,
Hi David, wow super-fast turn around. Thank you!
I'm not sure that Napier would not work around here. It does on the other side of Mt Meru, but we are in its rain shadow on the other side. Perennial grasses are somewhat difficult here and we don't have many. Napier/Vetiver while known, are not being used anywhere I know of.
Tree based systems are certainly the longer term solution and we are gearing up for that. One of the things that has been limiting our progress is our lack of water to establish tree nurseries in this area. Faidherbida and other potential trees here would need a nursery phase.
Unfortunately gabions and other physical control measures are also not possible in the short term largely because of costs, but also because we lack rocks and other needed materials near-by.
The nice thing about Kenaf is that it potentially produces huge amounts of usable biomass, for bast, forage, oil seed and eventually ... soil organic matter. I certainly do not consider it as a "Cinderella" solution but as a stepping stone for slowing overland flow and soil erosion with multiple uses. It can be seeded in and so involves minimal labor, which is key around here to cover the large areas involved. Finally its a non-weedy native, which is not likely to run away from us later on. There is currently no direct market for Kenaf products that I know of in this area. However, that might be just as much of a business opportunity as a constraint. I don't know :)
Thanks very much for your continued engagement! There must be workable solutions out there to solve this important problem. Very best, M

about 11 years ago.

David Hughes commented,
Thanks for adding more detail. I added something to my answer.
I assume it is not possible to capture and store water for the tree nurseries?

about 11 years ago.

Markus Walsh commented,
Thanks David, I will take a look.
I think it is possible to capture and store additional water here and we are attempting this now, both for livestock and tree nurseries. Its enormously expensive but I think well worth it in the long term, same for sand dams.

about 11 years ago.



You need to log in if you'd like to add an answer or comment.
Heart Heart icon