Soil health in rainfed regions: Grass strips of soil conservation

Abstract

Principle constraint in the crop production in semi-arid region is erratic rainfall, high evaporation rate and limited water holding capacity of the soil. Soil loss through erosion leaves the soil degraded and infertile. In semi-arid regions, tropical grass may hold the key to a low cost, and practical solution for controlling soil erosion on a huge scale. In India it was found that the intercropping of grasses and dryland crops are sometimes not feasible in farmers micro-farming situation. Further, both sides (at the end of the slope and upside of the slope within a field) cropping of grass strips (may be 1 meter width strip) are cost-effective, durable and would find people’s acceptance as they offer multiple benefits such as no mechanical hindrance in crop planning and management, and also provides fodder for small ruminants.