Those of us living in Southern Africa are living with persistent drought conditions brought on by El Nino and compounded by the degraded state of ecosystems in the region. Rains are arriving late and leaving early, and the long dry spells and high temperatures are affecting the health of people and of our farmers’ ability to produce food. Governments, communities and individuals are having to find ways to use less water, conserve what they have and adjust to living in significantly drier conditions. Farmers in particular are taking strain. This post provides some practical advice on how to save water in farming!
Below are some effective strategies to conserve water in farming:
Rainwater Harvesting
- Capture and store your rainwater
- Plant across the slope to stop water flowing down the slope
Use Water Efficiently
- Water when it is cooler, in the early morning or evening
- Use drip irrigation not overhead sprinklers
Crop Selection and Rotation
- Choose crops that are drought tolerant such as okra, pigeon pea, cassava, sorghum and millet
- Crop rotation can improve water retention and improve soil health
Soil Management
- Mulching provides cover to the soil and minimises evaporation while increasing moisture retention
- Compost and organic matter contribute to improving soil water holding capacity
Farm Land Area
- Do not waste space but cultivate an area that will efficiently be watered by the water available
- Grow cover crops such as pumpkins and cowpeas to reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture
Read more on water-saving strategies in farming from here:
Author: Rabecca Mwila
PELUM Zambia Communications Officer-KHSA Project
