Contour Ridge Tillage for Improved Crops and Fodder Trees Production in the Villages of Kani and Noumpinesso, Southern- Mali

Abstract

In rural Mali shortage of livestock feed is a challenging phenomenon worsening day by day, particularly in the villages of Kani and Noumpinesso. The significant decrease in crops yield and livestock are due to persistent and continuous land degradation and over grazing. Soil water erosion and inappropriate or ineffective farming systems led to land degradation over the many years. A purposeful growing of fodder plant (fast growing trees species) and crops in interacting combinations for a range of benefits would be required using a technology that is easily adaptable by the rural farming communities. Contour ridge (CR) technology is a holistic approach that protects farmlands from erosion; increases soil moisture, nutrient availability for crops and associated fast growing trees. The CR technology in combination with forage and improved crop production systems were applied in Kani and Noumpinesso villages of southern Mali and resulted indicated that at the end of rainy season of 2017 and 2018 the application of CR technology significantly increased (p < 0.05) Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala growth and development. Similar to 2017, in 2018 CR technology significantly increased (p < 0.05) sorghum, millet, maize, and cotton growth, yield, and economic benefit. At Kani during 2017 and 2018 season soil moisture was always significantly higher (p < 0.05) under fodder planted area than non-fodder planted area, and the difference was high with respect to farmlands without CR.

Intercropping Sorghum and Soybean Efficiency Using Contour Ridges Technology in Southern Mali

“…In fact, CRT reduces runoff and soil erosion, saves more water for crops, increases crops yield and farmer's economic profitability. Our results corroborate those of Dembele et al (2021) who indicated that CRT was economically profitable on sorghum, millet, maize and cotton production with a VCR greater than 2. High VCR of soybean production is due to the high cost of soybean in market.…”

“…Dembele (2014) reported that the effects of CRT significantly increased millet and sorghum yields by 12 and 62%, respectively at Sikidolo in Mali. At the same area of research (Kani and Noumpinesso) sorghum, millet, maize and cotton yields were increased by 70, 63, 87 and 72% respectively (Dembele et al, 2021). The improvement observed in grain yield is attributable to moisture and nutrients conservation capacity of CRT.…”

“…The improvement observed in grain yield is attributable to moisture and nutrients conservation capacity of CRT. Soil moisture conservation is vital for smallholder cropping systems as reported by several authors (Irshad et al, 2007;Birhanu et al, 2020;Traore et al, 2017, Dembele et al, 2021. Moisture stored in soil profile by CRT method, supplied water to crop at the end of rainy season when plants are flowering and filling their grains, leading to yield increase.…”

“…Contour ridges technology was adopted in Mali, particularly at Sikidolo, Fansirkoro, Flola, Mpessoba, Kani, Noumpinesso etc. by increasing crop yields (Doumbia et al, 2009;Traoré & Birhanu, 2019;Birhanu et al, 2020;Dembele et al, 2021). This technology improves soil quality by increasing soil moisture and nutrients in which crop profit from.…”

“…It is a holistic landscape approach to manage water and capture rainfall on a watershed scale. The technology was developed locally by the Rural Economic Institute (IER) of Mali and CIRAD (Gigou et al, 2006;Traoré et al, 2017;Dembele et al, 2021). Traore and Birhanu (2019) reported that CRT retains rainfall, increased deep drainage, and improves water and nutrients availability for crops.…”