Funnel Farming is a universally applicable method for dry land farming. Using this method, farmers can immediately begin cultivating their farms while simultaneously improving soil quality over time. The method involves cultivating in alternate trenches using compost made from organic matter. While one trench is used to grow plants, its adjacent trenches are used to create more compost. Six months later, when the roles of the trenches are reversed, there is a pool of fresh compost to grow crops. This process can be continued for 2-3 years till all of the dry soil becomes fertile. Mounds of organic matter created over the composting trenches divert rainwater into the low-lying growing trenches where water is absorbed and retained. Growing plants in a trench also protect them from excessive heat and sunlight, conserves water and lowers the rate of evaporation.
Long Description
Climate change has caused severe drought in many areas of Asia. This has may repercussions; From soil erosion, loss of agricultural produce and depleting water reserves to loss of livelihood for rural farmers, migration to cities and farmer suicides. This problem has further been aggravated by the use of chemical fertilizers. Consequently, many areas now have dry depleted soil on which no cultivation is possible.
Funnel Farming Method involves cultivating in alternate trenches using compost made from organic matter. While one trench is used to grow plants, its adjacent trenches are used to create more compost. Six months later, when the roles of the trenches are reversed, there is a pool of fresh compost to grow crops. This process can be continued for 2-3 years till all of the dry soil becomes fertile by the microbes responsible for composting.
Mounds of organic matter mixed created over the composting trenches divert rainwater into the low-lying growing trenches where water is absorbed and retained by compost. Growing plants in a trench also protect them from excessive heat and sunlight, conserves water and lowers the rate of evaporation.
By adopting the Funnel Farming Method, farmers can immediately begin cultivating their dry farms while simultaneously improving soil quality over time. Immediate cultivation means the instant revival of livelihood while improving soil fertility means a sustainable method for dryland farming. Further, this method can be applied universally to any farmland suffering from drought-like conditions.
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