Erosion control training

The principles of controlling erosion are to:

• Use land in accordance with its capability
• Protect the soil surface with some form of cover
• Control runoff before it develops into an erosive force.

Land capability

Soil type and land slope determine how vulnerable land will be to erosion. If the risk is serious, the land may be unsuitable for any agricultural use, or suitable only for a type less conducive to soil erosion.

Surface cover

Adequate surface cover is a major factor in controlling erosion because it reduces the erosive effect of raindrops falling on bare soils and the ability of winds to remove soil particles.

Runoff

Though surface cover encourages runoff to spread rather than to concentrate, it still tends to concentrate as it moves downslope. In cropping lands, this effect is mitigated by using structural measures such as contour banks in upland areas, or strip cropping on floodplains.

Management techniques

Using implements that can handle stubble, rather than burning it, and using herbicides to control weeds, akes it possible to employ minimum till and zero till practices, which minimise erosion in cropping areas.