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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
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    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.

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