Farmers in hilly regions often face unique challenges when it comes to water access and soil management. With steep slopes, rainwater tends to run off quickly, causing erosion, water loss, and poor moisture retention in the soil.
However, many farmers like Joan Kantu Else of Masongora village in Fort Portal, Kabarole district, have turned to an age-old solution, water terraces, to address these challenges.
Kantu’s farm is located on a hilly landscape, and one of her biggest challenges has always been the lack of reliable water.
“Here, the rainwater flows so fast down the slope that we lose most of it. To save some of this water for my crops, I dig terraces and small water channels along the slopes,” she explains.
These terraces act like natural barriers, slowing down water runoff and allowing it to sink into the ground, where it can nourish crops and maintain soil moisture over time.
Water terraces are essentially step-like platforms created along the contours of a hill. They help reduce the speed of water flow during heavy rains, which minimises soil erosion and prevents valuable topsoil from being washed away.
She says by capturing and redirecting water, terraces also allow for better absorption of water into the soil, which is vital for farming during dry periods.
Moses Kiptala another farmer from Mengya village, Piswa parish in Kween district, also shares similar benefits.
“We used to suffer from serious erosion during the rainy seasons. The soil would be washed away, and crops would fail. But since I started constructing water terraces, my farm holds water better, and the soil is more fertile,” says Kiptala.
In these hilly districts where many communities depend on agriculture, water terraces have proven to be a game-changer. Farmers are now able to tap into the natural flow of rainwater, using it more efficiently. This not only increases crop yields but also extends the growing season, especially in areas prone to long dry spells.
Ronald Lotet, a senior environment officer says the use of terraces also contributes to environmental conservation. By reducing erosion, terraces help preserve the landscape and prevent degradation of riverbanks and valleys below.
In places like Fort Portal and Kween, where population pressure has led to the clearing of forests and vegetation on hillsides, terraces provide a sustainable alternative that allows farming without destroying the environment.
Lotet says farmers who use water terraces often plant grass or trees along the terrace edges. These plants act as natural stabilisers, holding the soil in place and further improving water retention. Some also dig small ponds at the bottom of terraces to collect overflow, which can be used for irrigation during drier months.
