Combining Infield Rainwater Harvesting and Soil Conservation Techniques as Mitigatory Strategies to Climate Change on Crop Productivity in Semiarid Conditions
摘要
Climate change exacerbates water shortage and land degradation in semiarid regions, threatening agricultural productivity and food security. Irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, and high evaporation reduce crop yields, particularly in rainfed agricultural systems. To address these challenges, this chapter explores the integration of infield rainwater harvesting (IRWH) and soil conservation techniques as climate-resilient sustainable approaches. The study highlights the effectiveness of combining water harvesting methods (e.g., contour bunds, zai pits, and tied ridges) with soil conservation practices (e.g., conservation tillage, mulching, and agroforestry) to improve soil water-holding capacity, reduce erosion, and improve crop yields in semiarid conditions. The objectives of the chapter are to (1) assess crop yield impacts of IRWH and soil conservation, (2) measure synergistic benefits of holistic approaches, and (3) present adoption limitations and policy considerations. The approach includes a review of empirical studies, case studies in sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia), and field-tested approach analysis. Findings indicate that IRWH contributes an additional 20–40% to water availability, while soil conservation enhances organic matter and reduces erosion. Integrated methods have provided a 30–50% increase in drought yield, for example, with zai pit cultivation in Burkina Faso and contour cultivation in Kenya. Overall, combining IRWH and soil conservation is a low-cost and sustainable way for climate adaptation. There is need for scaling up of farmer training programs, promoting policy endorsement of conservation agriculture, and investment in locally scalable innovations. These interventions can enhance food security and livelihoods in semiarid agro ecosystems under climate variability.