Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
5. Facilitate each farmer to do bench terracing for organic vegetables grown in long sloping areas
in their individual field during land preparation by improving the procedure below:
5 Determine which areas in their field will require bench terracing (e.g., long sloping areas);
5 Determine and mark minimum vertical intervals between terraces wide enough to be
cultivated once bench terrace is constructed;
5 Dug out upper portion to fill up lower portion of slope, making sure area to be dug out
equals area to be filled;
5 Prepare bench terrace sloped from front to back so that surplus water drains slowly along
the back of each terrace, which is back of next wall;
5 Construct a side drain in such a way that surface water will run off to other drain at the
end of each terrace;
5 Construct silt pits or soil traps at desired intervals to catch soil washed downhill during
heavy rainfall;
5 Encourage grasses and dense vegetation to grow on front edge and retaining wall of a
terrace; and
5 Take note of all relevant observations and experiences during this activity.
some suggested questions for processing discussion
❏ Did you observe farmers practicing bench terracing for organic vegetables grown in long slopes?
❏ Did you observe different bench terracing practices for different crops grown in long slopes?
❏ Did you observe farmers maintaining different grasses and vegetation on vertical retaining
walls of bench terraces? What are these grasses and vegetation? What materials are vertical
retaining walls made of?
❏ Is bench terracing an effective soil conservation strategy for organic vegetable production
in long sloping areas? What bench terracing practice is best for a particular topography for
organic vegetable production?
❏ Did you observe any innovative bench terracing practices used by farmers as a soil conservation
strategy in organic vegetable production? What benefits did farmers derive from practicing
bench terracing in sloping areas for organic vegetable production?
❏ What other cultural management options can you use to complement bench terracing as a soil
conservation strategy in sloping areas for organic vegetable production?