Starting contour terraces
A beautiful contour terrace in Tae
The southern part of Kilimanjaro region are characterized by the fascinating Pare mountains. This beautiful set of mountains are quite a scenery and on the steep slopes one may find a surprising number of villages where the small-holder farmers are engaged in agricultural activities. However, the local communities face the threat of soil erosion where all the good soil is washed away by the run-off water.
KIHO promotes the construction of terraces and trenches on slope contours to detain water and sediment transported by water or gravity downslope. Such measures are known as contour terraces or contour furrowing, lined with geotextiles and filled with rock, stacked or placed to form an erosion resistant structure. Terrace farming are step-like features which are cut out of mountainous areas. Using these method, it prevents rain from washing away the soil, hence preventing soil erosion. Contour trenches are used to break up the slope surface, to slow runoff and allow infiltration, and to trap sediment. In addition with the contour terraces, it is an ideal place for the small-holder farmers to practice agriculture.
It is pain-staking work to build such terraces, because there are no machines available in the Pare mountains. However, all the work that is committed for such a project is very much worthwhile because it is easier to access the fields and the farmers benefit from an improved harvest.
Successes:
Our aim:
KIHO wants to establish contour terraces throughout Kilimanjaro region because it reduces food insecurity and a higher yield to the small-holder farmers.
KIHO promotes the construction of terraces and trenches on slope contours to detain water and sediment transported by water or gravity downslope. Such measures are known as contour terraces or contour furrowing, lined with geotextiles and filled with rock, stacked or placed to form an erosion resistant structure. Terrace farming are step-like features which are cut out of mountainous areas. Using these method, it prevents rain from washing away the soil, hence preventing soil erosion. Contour trenches are used to break up the slope surface, to slow runoff and allow infiltration, and to trap sediment. In addition with the contour terraces, it is an ideal place for the small-holder farmers to practice agriculture.
It is pain-staking work to build such terraces, because there are no machines available in the Pare mountains. However, all the work that is committed for such a project is very much worthwhile because it is easier to access the fields and the farmers benefit from an improved harvest.
Successes:
- KIHO has provided contour terraces to six villages in Same District (Bangalala, Chome, Kwainka, Malindi, Tae and Vudee Juu)
- In four of these villages, in addition to the contour terraces also contour irrigation ponds were constructed to have water available also during the dry season as these villages are more prone to crop failure
Our aim:
KIHO wants to establish contour terraces throughout Kilimanjaro region because it reduces food insecurity and a higher yield to the small-holder farmers.
