Drainage Ditches in Steep Sloping Cropland
Type: Technologies
Creation: 2011-03-08 10:00 Updated: 2021-11-02 15:19
Compilers: Erik Bühlmann
Reviewers: Alexandra Gavilano, David Streiff, Joana Eichenberger
Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
- Country: Tajikistan
- Region/ State/ Province: RRS
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Faizabad Rayon
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Technology
Short description of the Technology
Drainage ditches are dug in steep cropland areas to reduce soil erosion by diverting excess rain water away.
Detailed description of the Technology
In steep wheat fields drainage ditches are dug at 5-10m intervals to help reduce soil erosion. The ditches are on average 15cm deep and 30cm wide, and are dug with a gradient of 10-20%, to facilitate the draining of excessive rain water. At the top of the field a 50x50cm cut-off drain prevents run-on onto the field.
The small drainage ditches in the field are dug each year after tillage and sowing activities. The earth removed from the diches is piled up below the ditch to decrease the risk them breaching. The cut-off drain at the top was established 5 years ago and is cleared regularly from washed in soil. Most farmers in Faizabad Rayon dig 1-3 drainage ditches in their sloping cropland. Drainage ditches and cut-off drains are often not constructed deep enough and are not well maintained. Construction of the technology is not time consuming or costly, however, drainage ditches and cut-off drains are completely ineffective if not maintained on a regular basis.
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Labour input for this work does not exceed three person days per hectare.
Photos of the Technology
- 📍 Chinoro, Faizabad Rayon
- 📷 Erik Bühlmann (Berne, Switzerland)
- 📍 Chinoro, Faizabad Rayon
- 📷 Erik Bühlmann (Berne, Switzerland)