Rainfed rice - IRRI books - International Rice Research Institute

RAINFED RICE A SOURCEBOOK OF BEST PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES IN EASTERN INDIA
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Semi-circular hoop
This is an earthen embankment constructed in a semi-circle. The tips of the
semi-circular hoop go up to the contour. The runoff water from the area is
collected within the hoop to a maximum depth equal to the height of the
embankment. Excess water is discharged from the points around the tips to
the next lower hoop. The rows of semi-circular hoops are staggered so that
overflowing water from the upper hoop can easily flow to the lower hoop.
The height of the hoop is kept from 0.1 to 0.5 m, with a radius of 5 to 30 m.
Ahar and Paeen system
This is similar to the semi-circular hoop and is used mainly in south Bihar. It
is an earthen embankment 2 to 3 m in height, constructed in a semi-circular
hoop for storing water. Stored water is used through the Paeen (channel) for
irrigation.
Bench terracing
This involves constructing step-like fields along contours by half-cutting and
half-filling on steep sloping (6-33% slope range) and undulating lands. The
original slope is converted into level fields so all erosion hazards are
eliminated and rainwater is conserved and used for crop production. There
are three types of bench terracing.