Amazing grace...
By Emmanuel Koro
12/08/2003
Water harvesting has enabled women to grow vegetables in their backyards
A water harvesting method currently being applied in rural Zimbabwe’s naturally dry Masvingo Province, south of the country, has seen small-scale commercial farmers such as the Shagashe Farmers Club (SHAFAC) able to enjoy better harvests despite the persistent drought.
The method is simple. It involves digging pits that are one meter deep and a meter wide.
How is the Water Harvested?
Basically, the pits fill up from rainfall and retain the water, which soaks slowly into the ground depending on the soil type. The water also drains slowly from the water harvesting pits as the low-lying parts of the crop field run out of moisture.
Mr. Osmond Mugweni, a Sustainable Agriculture Consultant with the UNDP Africa 2000 Plus Network is proud of this technique, which he believes can solve the country’s drought-threatened food security if promoted nationally. He said water harvesting filtration pits “help to raise water tables” due to the water harvesting pits’ water retention capacities. The capillary activity draws water from the water table to the surface.
“This has a double effect,” said Mr. Mugweni. “The wet conditions are good for the crops and also promote the growth of a variety of grass species and herbs, enhancing conservation.” (Read on, it's wonderful: Zimbabwean Farmers Bag the Clouds
A personal quest to promote the use of wind energy and hydrogen technology in the Great Lakes area of the United States. The Great Lakes area is in a unique position to become an energy exporting region through these and other renewable energy technologies. *Update 2014: Just do it everywhere - Dan*
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