Contour trenching is an agricultural technique that
can be easily applied in arid sub-Sahara areas to allow for water, and soil
conservation, and to increase agricultural production.
Technique
Trenches can be artificially dug along the contour
lines. Water flowing down the hill is retained by the trench, and is
infiltrating the soil below.
Between two trenches crops can benefit
during the growing season (when there is less rain) from the
subsoil water reserve gathered during the rainy season.
Advantages
Immediate advantages are the following:
- The rain water does not immediately run off the hill,
- Water does not evaporate uselessly
- The water balance is enhanced
- Crops do not suffer later on from water shortage,
- Fertile soil particles are not lost by water and wind erosion.
- When the sun shines on the water, light and heat are reflected onto plants on the northern shore of the trench, this effect and the increased humidity create micro climates in the area. These micro climates can support plants from different hardiness zones.
Implementation
Depending on the slope of the hill, the parallel trenches
can be closer or further from one another.
Manually dug trenches are smaller. Machine dug trenches can
be deeper. The dimensions, and the format of the trench should correspond to
the local climate
and soil conditions.
The trench should be big enough to keep all the water; no water should spoil
over the downhill border. The upside of the trench should be protected against erosion, by means
of e.g. grass, shrubs, or fabric.
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