Conservation farming on steep lands - USAid

EVOLUTION OF SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES 235
Figure 1. Grass barriers will convert to bench terraces gradually.
b Hillsicle clitches. The improved hillside ditch was actually a terrace,
and more would be established later between two built ditches to complete
a terrace system.
The method used to replace bench terracing consists of the following:
Orchard Izillsicfc clitclles. These are more economical to build than
bench terraces. Orchards at the intervals varied the spacing of fruit trees
grown (Figure 2) (1 ). This practice proved to be labor-saving and effective.
Development of hillside cultivation
Soil and water losses were found to be slight from a cover of bahiagrass
in citrus and banana plantations. Bench terraces of the level retention type
had almost the same effect as bahiagrass on controlling soil and water loss,
but other types of bench terraces were not as effective. Positive effects of
cover crops and mulching on citrus plantations provided evidence of the
feasibility of hillside cultivation.
Improvement of hillside ditches
The application of hillside ditches on sugarcane plantations in 1956
resulted in lower yields. Then, the design of the ditch was modified into