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Water Portal / Rainwater Harvesting / Groundwater recharge / Contour ridges

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Created page with "Contour ridges, sometimes called contour furrows or micro watersheds, are used for crop production. Ridges follow the contour at a spacing of usually 1 to 2 metres. Runoff is col..."

Contour ridges, sometimes called contour furrows or micro watersheds, are used for crop production. Ridges follow the contour at a spacing of usually 1 to 2 metres. Runoff is collected from the uncultivated strip between ridges and stored in a furrow just above the ridges. Crops are planted on both sides of the furrow.

==Suitable conditions==
Contour ridges for crop production can be used under the following conditions:

* Field from flat up to 5.0%.
* Field Rainfall 350-700 mm.
* Area with rills or ondulations should be avoided.

The distance between the ridges should be adapted depending on rainfall amount.<br>
This low cost technology has the potential to increase food security in below normal rainfall years.<br>
The relatively low planting density discourages farmers, especially in a good year, and the technique does not work well on steep slopes.

==Construction, operations and maintenance==
Ridges need only be as high as necessary to prevent overtopping by runoff. As the runoff is harvested only from a small strip between the ridges, a height of 15 -20 cm is sufficient. If bunds are spaced at more than 2 metres, the ridge height must be increased.

Minimal maintenance is required if the ridges are properly constructed initially. Maintenance involves reconstruction of any lines and ridges that might have collapsed.

==Costs==
With human labour, an estimated 32 person days/ha is required. Using machinery, the time requirement is reduced, but the costs are increased to an estimated US$100/ha. This technology is considered low cost, although the rate of its adoption has not been high.

==Field experiences==

==Reference manuals, videos, and links==

==Acknowledgements==
* Rufino, L., [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CFkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saiplatform.org%2Fuploads%2FModules%2FLibrary%2FSAI%2520Technical%2520Brief%25205%2520%2520The%2520Importance%2520of%2520Soil%2520to%2520Water%2520Use.pdf&ei=gf91T6GYJ-jWiAK7zuGnDg&usg=AFQjCNFDyR4mjTVCcvvTt-9v4OrxAZQfDA&sig2=iMzgbW0eK395na_V_YA4Kw ''Water Conservation Technical Briefs: TB 2 – Rainwater Harvesting and Artificial Recharge to Groundwater'']. Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI). August 2009.

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