Rainfed rice - IRRI books - International Rice Research Institute

Indigenous Rainwater Management
Listing and ridge planting
It is performed in low-rainfall areas where a large percentage of rainfall is
received from short, intense storms. Listing is done using a lister plough. In
some cases, listing is done by making dams at intervals in the furrows called
basin listing. This controls row drainage and increases the water conservation
value of the furrows.
Mechanical measures
Indigenous mechanical measures adopted for harvesting and managing of
rainwater are effective, equitably adoptable and location-specific. However,
mechanical measures have been neglected and need revitalising. Mechanical
measures consist of constructing mechanical barriers across the direction of
water flow to retard or retain the runoff and help to conserve soil and water.
Field bunding
Bunds are constructed along field boundaries. In rainfed farming, bund
construction is needed to conserve moisture, captured through rainwater.
Bunds are made of different cross-sections according to the convenience and
need of farmers. The recommended average bund cross section is 0.438 m 2 .
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