Vibrant Landscapes on Inclined Heights
In the picturesque Zarafshan Valley of Tajikistan, traditional farming techniques have proven effective in managing steep slopes and enhancing agricultural productivity. Romy Lehns, the Country Director of Welthungerhilfe in Tajikistan, highlights the potential of the agricultural sector, but notes the need for more resources and knowledge among farmers.
Welthungerhilfe, an international organisation, supports Tajikistan's people by offering various initiatives. These include reforestation, stabilising slopes, and the construction of 16 small and mini power plants, as well as the establishment of 12 photovoltaic facilities to power water pumps.
To empower farmers, Welthungerhilfe conducts training sessions on innovative and environmentally-friendly agricultural methods. These sessions cover topics such as crop rotation, fruit tree cultivation, composting, organic fertilisation, and integrated pest control. The training equips farmers with the skills to grow a wider variety of fruits and vegetables using location-appropriate seeds, leading to higher yields and improved diets for families.
Applying these principles to prevent garden soil from sliding down slopes can be achieved through several methods.
1. Build Lynchets (Terracing)
Lynchets are terraces or step-like benches carved into a slope. They slow water runoff, reduce erosion, and create flat planting areas. To build lynchets:
- Identify contour lines on your slope (lines along which the ground is level).
- Dig out soil from the upslope side and pile it on the downslope edge, creating a small wall (sometimes reinforced with stones).
- Create a relatively flat bench between these walls where crops can be planted.
- Multiple lynchets are carved step by step down the slope, forming a stair-like pattern.
The benefits of lynchets include reducing the speed and volume of water runoff, preventing soil from washing downhill, increasing usable surface area for planting, and helping collect moisture in each terrace.
2. Use Contoured Planting
Contoured gardening involves arranging plants along the natural contours of the land, rather than planting in straight rows downhill. This arrangement slows water runoff and encourages water infiltration into the soil, reducing erosion.
3. Plant Deep-Rooted and Ground Cover Plants
Complement lynchets and contouring by planting vegetation that stabilises the soil. Use deep-rooted plants that hold the soil firmly, choose ground covers or grasses that protect against surface erosion, and plant trees and shrubs on terrace edges to help anchor the soil further.
4. Mulching and Soil Improvements
Mulch slows water runoff and protects soil from impact erosion. Improve soil structure with organic compost to enhance water absorption and root growth.
5. Use Supporting Structures if Needed
In tougher cases, stone walls or wooden retaining walls can support terraces, imitating some traditional lynchet walls.
By following contour lines to create benches or terraces (lynchets), planting along these contours to reduce water flow speed and soil erosion, stabilising the soil with vegetation and mulch, these techniques convert steep slopes into productive, sustainable gardens while effectively preventing soil sliding. An example of the techniques taught is the installation of lynchets and contoured gardens to prevent landslides.
Science plays a crucial role in the efforts to transform steep slopes in the Zarafshan Valley of Tajikistan into productive gardens. Environmental-science principles, such as lynching (terracing), contoured planting, and planting deep-rooted plants, are some of the sustainable gardening methods being employed to prevent soil sliding and increase agricultural productivity. These practices align with the lifestyle choices advocated by organizations like Welthungerhilfe, which seeks to empower farmers in home-and-garden settings through training and resource allocation, ultimately contributing to improved diets and higher yields.
