Indigenous Practices for Soil and Water Conservation - Agropedia

Farmers' Concept and Practices of Indigenous
Soil and Moisture Conservation: A Case Study
B.J.Rajasekhara
and B.R.Hegde
Soil and water conservation (SWC) programs implemented by development
agencies would have more impact if they incorporated aspects of farmers'
existing practices. A case study of farmers in the high-rainfall, red soil region
of southern Karnataka revealed interesting perceptions, varied SWC practices,
and pointed to certain important socioeconomic factors.
Perceptions
Farmers were generally knowledgeable about the effects of soil erosion and
water loss. The predominance of bunds of different kinds underlined this
awareness. They understood the benefits of cultivating across slopes and of
hoeing to keep soil loose. Boundary waterways were observed on most farms, to
drain off excess water. Farmers were concerned about containing gullies but
felt that government agencies should take up responsibility for them. Most
farmers also understood that the loss of rainwater should be minimized but
they did not have a clear idea of how it could be utilized for their own benefit, or
for the community.
Practices
The SWC practices commonly observed in red soil regions are:
• Diversion drains to separate arable from nonarable land.
• Bunds of various sizes, built mostly on slopes, sometimes provided with
outlets to prevent water stagnation. Enquiries into earlier bunding programs
revealed that to begin w i t h , farmers built bunds across the slope.
Later, when the property was divided among the children, the land was
divided along the slope so that each portion would have rich as well as poor
soil. This indicates that farmers had an idea of the changes in fertility status
and soil depth along the slope.
• Farmers generally provide outlets on bunds, at a level slightly higher than
the lowest point. This allows the water to stand before spilling over, leaving
the silt behind.
• Boundary waterways seem to have been widely constructed in earlier times,
but are now either absent or rudimentary in upper plots and more defined in
plots lower in the toposequence.
• Water is harvested in private or community ponds, and by channeling it
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