Ways to control soil erosion and conserve water

Soil and water conservation practices are very inportant to farmers so as to make the best use of rainfall. These practices include:

1. Controlling soil erosion
2. Harvesting rain water
3. Minimizing soil disturbance

1.Controlling soil erosion - soil erosion is the removal of soil particles and organic matter from a given site  by the action of water and wind.
Soil erosion reduces crop yields due to loss of plant nutrients , reduction os soil's wayer holding capacity and degradation of soil structure.

-Covering the soil as much as possible - cover crops intercropped with the main crop.
-Mulching - covering the soil with dry plant materials.
-Important soil conservation methods.
(i) grass strips
(ii) terraces
(iii) stone lines
(iv) contour ridges

2.Harvesting rain water - Rainwater can be harvested by planting crops in water retaining pits such as zai planting pits and tumbukiza. In addition, rainwater runoff can be harvested from roads and stored for later use.

3.Minimizing soil disturbance - It has been established that overcultivation of soil is harmful. This is because it leads to an increase in loss of nutrients through decomposition of organic matter.
-mimimum disturbance of soil can be achieved through minimum tillage.
-zero tillage where seeds are planted without seedbed preparation, or minimum tillage where soil is ripped only where necessary, most of the land is left untouched.