A Guide to Conservation Agriculture in Zimbabwe - Canadian ...

Practical Steps in Conservation Agriculture
section THREE
Figure 3.2 Diagram of a Basin
planting line
dig hole in slope
below planting line
pile soil below hole
as a rainwater dam
• Starting at the first knot at one end of the string, stand
facing uphill and dig each b asin about 15cm (or the
length of your hand) long, 15cm wide, and 15cm deep.
Keep the soil dug from the basin on the downslope side
of the basin, to use for cover later on.
(See Figure 3.2 above).
Key Principle
Ensure minimum soil disturbance by not tilling.
Prepare basins precisely and to standard.
Basins allow you to use the correct amounts
of seed and fertilizer at the correct time. This
avoids waste and saves money.
• When the basins for that row have been made use the
sticks to measure the distance to the next row. Move
the pegs and stretch out the string between them.
• Repeat the process of digging holes. The rows of basins
can be in line with each other or staggered.
Field of basins
Farming for the Future
38