IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i20p13425-d945953.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Soil and Water Conservation in Africa: State of Play and Potential Role in Tackling Soil Degradation and Building Soil Health in Agricultural Lands

Author

Listed:
  • Massamba Diop

    (Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

  • Ngonidzashe Chirinda

    (Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

  • Adnane Beniaich

    (Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

  • Mohamed El Gharous

    (Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

  • Khalil El Mejahed

    (Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

Abstract

Africa’s lands are largely vulnerable and threatened by soil degradation and low water availability, especially in semi-arid and arid regions, limiting crop and livestock productivity and farmer livelihood options. Therefore, in African agricultural lands, adopting/improving measures that conserve soil and water resources is crucial. This review aims to provide an update on soil and water conservation (SWC) in terms of farmer practices and research actions and explore how SWC technologies and practices represent a pathway to build or re-establish soil health and enhance sustainable agriculture in Africa. It also aims to increase knowledge on best-fit SWC approaches. Soil conservation, which includes measures of controlling soil erosion and maintaining or improving soil fertility, is inseparable from water conservation. On agricultural lands, the two are typically co-addressed. Increasing plant biomass production through improved water, crop and soil management practices, and managing this biomass judiciously, have direct and indirect impacts on conserving soils and water resources, particularly in drylands. This study focuses on rainfed agricultural systems. We discuss the barriers and challenges to scaling up best-bet SWC technological and management options. Moreover, we show that options, such as Conservation Agriculture (CA), Agroforestry (AF), as well as integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) and field-scale rainwater harvesting (RWH), remain promising for the preservation and improvement of soil health in Africa’s farmlands and improving the resilience of agrosystems to climate change and variability as well as droughts.

Suggested Citation

  • Massamba Diop & Ngonidzashe Chirinda & Adnane Beniaich & Mohamed El Gharous & Khalil El Mejahed, 2022. "Soil and Water Conservation in Africa: State of Play and Potential Role in Tackling Soil Degradation and Building Soil Health in Agricultural Lands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-29, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:20:p:13425-:d:945953
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/20/13425/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/20/13425/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Farooq Shah & Wei Wu, 2019. "Soil and Crop Management Strategies to Ensure Higher Crop Productivity within Sustainable Environments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Zhang, Xiao-Feng & Luo, Chong-Liang & Ren, Hong-Xu & Mburu, David & Wang, Bao-Zhong & Kavagi, Levis & Wesly, Kiprotich & Nyende, Aggrey Bernard & Xiong, You-Cai, 2021. "Water productivity and its allometric mechanism in mulching cultivated maize (Zea mays L.) in semiarid Kenya," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    3. Aboudrare, A. & Debaeke, P. & Bouaziz, A. & Chekli, H., 2006. "Effects of soil tillage and fallow management on soil water storage and sunflower production in a semi-arid Mediterranean climate," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 83(3), pages 183-196, June.
    4. Nicol, Alan & Langan, Simon & Victor, Michael & Gonsalves, J., 2015. "Water-smart agriculture in East Africa," IWMI Books, Reports H046950, International Water Management Institute.
    5. Somasundaram Jayaraman & Yash P. Dang & Anandkumar Naorem & Kathryn L. Page & Ram C. Dalal, 2021. "Conservation Agriculture as a System to Enhance Ecosystem Services," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-14, July.
    6. R. Lal, 2009. "Soil degradation as a reason for inadequate human nutrition," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 1(1), pages 45-57, February.
    7. Sabine Zikeli & Sabine Gruber, 2017. "Reduced Tillage and No-Till in Organic Farming Systems, Germany—Status Quo, Potentials and Challenges," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-17, April.
    8. Wolka, Kebede & Mulder, Jan & Biazin, Birhanu, 2018. "Effects of soil and water conservation techniques on crop yield, runoff and soil loss in Sub-Saharan Africa: A review," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 67-79.
    9. Affholder, François & Jourdain, Damien & Quang, Dang Dinh & Tuong, To Phuc & Morize, Marion & Ricome, Aymeric, 2010. "Constraints to farmers' adoption of direct-seeding mulch-based cropping systems: A farm scale modeling approach applied to the mountainous slopes of Vietnam," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 103(1), pages 51-62, January.
    10. Nkonya, Ephraim M. & Gerber, Nicolas & Baumgartner, Philipp & von Braun, Joachim & De Pinto, Alessandro & Graw, Valerie & Kato, Edward & Kloos, Julia & Walter, Teresa, 2011. "The Economics of Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought; Toward an Integrated Global Assessment," Discussion Papers 109326, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    11. Kaczan, David & Arslan, Aslihan & Lipper, Leslie, 2013. "Climate-Smart Agriculture? A review of current practice of agroforestry and conservation agriculture in Malawi and Zambia," ESA Working Papers 288985, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA).
    12. Marenya, Paswel Phiri & Nkonya, Ephraim M. & Xiong, Wei & Rossel, Jose Deustua & Edward, Kato, 2012. "Which would work better for improved soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: Fertilizer Subsidies or Carbon Credits?," 2012 Conference, August 18-24, 2012, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil 126904, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    13. Marenya, Paswel & Nkonya, Ephraim & Xiong, Wei & Deustua, Jose & Kato, Edward, 2012. "Which policy would work better for improved soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa, fertilizer subsidies or carbon credits?," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 162-172.
    14. Maya Sollen-Norrlin & Bhim Bahadur Ghaley & Naomi Laura Jane Rintoul, 2020. "Agroforestry Benefits and Challenges for Adoption in Europe and Beyond," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-21, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mideksa, Babu & Muluken, Gezahegn & Eric, Ndemo, 2023. "The impact of soil and water conservation practices on food security in eastern Ethiopia. A propensity score matching approach," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    2. Bridget Bwalya & Edward Mutandwa & Brian Chanda Chiluba, 2023. "Awareness and Use of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Smallholder Farming Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Nikola Tričković & Vukašin Rončević & Nikola Živanović & Tara Grujić & Luka Stefanović & Nikola Jovanović & Miodrag Zlatić, 2023. "Ecological and Economic Effects of Applying the Future Agricultural Production Structure Model (FAPSMS): The Case Study of the Barička River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Dayakar, Peddi & Kavi Kumar, K.S., 2024. "Soil and water conservation measures and rainfed agriculture in Telangana, India: Role of community and neighborhood conservation measures," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    5. Monica Laura Zlati & Costinela Fortea & Valentin Marian Antohi, 2024. "The Economic Value of European Organic Farming in the Transition to Climate Neutrality," Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Doctoral Field Engineering and Management in Agriculture and Rural Development, issue 1, pages 63-75.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jayne, T.S. & Sitko, Nicholas J. & Mason, Nicole M., 2017. "Can Input Subsidy Programs Contribute To Climate Smart Agriculture?," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 270626, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    2. repec:fpr:ifprib:2012ghienglish is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Valbuena, Diego & Tui, Sabine Homann-Kee & Erenstein, Olaf & Teufel, Nils & Duncan, Alan & Abdoulaye, Tahirou & Swain, Braja & Mekonnen, Kindu & Germaine, Ibro & Gérard, Bruno, 2015. "Identifying determinants, pressures and trade-offs of crop residue use in mixed smallholder farms in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 107-118.
    4. Falconnier, Gatien N. & Descheemaeker, Katrien & Traore, Bouba & Bayoko, Arouna & Giller, Ken E., 2018. "Agricultural intensification and policy interventions: Exploring plausible futures for smallholder farmers in Southern Mali," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 623-634.
    5. Abdallah, Abdul-Hanan & Abdul-Rahaman, Awal & Issahaku, Gazali, 2021. "Production and hidden hunger impacts of sustainable agricultural practices: evidence from rural households in Africa," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 59(4), January.
    6. von Grebmer, Klaus & Ringler, Claudia & Rosegrant, Mark W. & Olofinbiyi, Tolulope & Wiesmann, Doris & Fritschel, Heidi & Badiane, Ousmane & Torero, Maximo & Yohannes, Yisehac & Thompson, Jennifer & vo, 2012. "2012 Global hunger index: the challenge of hunger: Ensuring sustainable food security under land, water, and energy stresses," IFPRI books, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), number 2012 GHI English.
    7. repec:fpr:resrep:2012ghifrench is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Berta Moya & Ruben Sakrabani & Alison Parker, 2019. "Realizing the Circular Economy for Sanitation: Assessing Enabling Conditions and Barriers to the Commercialization of Human Excreta Derived Fertilizer in Haiti and Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-15, June.
    9. repec:ags:aaea22:336014 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Koppmair, Stefan & Kassie, Menale & Qaim, Matin, 2016. "Farm input subsidies and the adoption of natural resource management technologies," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235313, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    11. Abubakar Hamid Danlami & Rabiul Islam & Shri Dewi Applanaidu & Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni, 2016. "An empirical analysis of fertiliser use intensity in rural Sub-Saharan Africa," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 43(12), pages 1400-1419, December.
    12. repec:fpr:resrep:2012ghienglish is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Chikobola, Musaka M. & Tembo, Gelson, 2018. "Policy brief Gaps in the implementation of the e-voucher system in Zambia: Implications for strategies to make the model efficient and effective," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 13(2), June.
    14. Mkwara, Bentry, 2013. "To what extent do fertiliser subsidies improve household income and reduce poverty? The case of Malawi," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 8(4), pages 1-12, October.
    15. Koppmair, Stefan & Kassie, Menale & Qaim, Matin, 2017. "The influence of farm input subsidies on the adoption of natural resource management technologies," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 61(4), October.
    16. repec:fpr:ifprib:2012ghifrench is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Mansaray, B. & Jin, S. & Yuan, R. & Li, H., 2018. "Farmers Preferences for Attributes of Seed Rice in Sierra Leone: A Best-Worst Scaling Approach," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277552, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    18. von Grebmer, Klaus & Ringler, Claudia & Rosegrant, Mark W. & Olofinbiyi, Tolulope & Wiesmann, Doris & Fritschel, Heidi & Badiane, Ousmane & Torero, Maximo & Yohannes, Yisehac & Thompson, Jennifer & vo, 2012. "2012 Indice de la faim dans le monde:: Relever le defi de la faim: Assurer une sécurité alimentaire durable dan un monde sous contraintes en eau, en énergie et en terres," IFPRI books, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), number 2012 GHI French, October.
    19. Manogna R. L. & Aswini Kumar Mishra, 2022. "Agricultural production efficiency of Indian states: Evidence from data envelopment analysis," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(4), pages 4244-4255, October.
    20. Zehra Ekin, 2019. "Integrated Use of Humic Acid and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria to Ensure Higher Potato Productivity in Sustainable Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-13, June.
    21. Pedzisa, Tarisayi & Rugube, Lovemore & Winter-Nelson, Alex & Baylis, Kathy & Mazvimavi, Kizito, 2016. "The Intensity of adoption of Conservation agriculture by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 54(3), January.
    22. Zhihai Yang & Amin W. Mugera & Ning Yin & Yumeng Wang, 2018. "Soil conservation practices and production efficiency of smallholder farms in Central China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1517-1533, August.
    23. Sicheng Zhang & Rui Zhao & Kening Wu & Qin Huang & Long Kang, 2021. "Effects of the Rapid Construction of a High-Quality Plough Layer Based on Woody Peat in a Newly Reclaimed Cultivated Land Area," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.
    24. Carine Naba & Hiroshi Ishidaira & Jun Magome & Kazuyoshi Souma, 2024. "Exploring the Potential of Soil and Water Conservation Measures for Climate Resilience in Burkina Faso," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-20, September.
    25. Donald Coon & Lauren Lindow & Ziynet Boz & Ana Martin-Ryals & Ying Zhang & Melanie Correll, 2024. "Reporting and practices of sustainability in controlled environment agriculture: a scoping review," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 301-326, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:20:p:13425-:d:945953. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.