Soil and water conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa: issues and options

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Book

Title:	Soil and water conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa: issues and options
Editor:	Reij, Chris
Year:	1986
Language:	English
City of publisher:	Amsterdam
Publisher:	Free University, Centre for Development Cooperation Services
Geographic term:	Subsaharan Africa
Subjects:	water supply small farms erosion
Abstract:	This report analyses past experiences with soil and water conservation on small-farmer rainfed agricultural land in sub-Saharan Africa. It outlines a strategy for future national policies and external support for conservation programmes. Attention is drawn particularly to the relevance of indigenous systems and practices of soil and water conservation. Sixty-three of such African farming systems with prominent soil conserving practices are identified in the report. The approach to soil and water conservation programmes should be based on thorough knowledge of such systems, be participatory, and have a wide time horizon. The use of payments of labour in conservation programmes should be strongly discouraged when they concern the small farmers' own holding.