Agroforestry is a sustainable land management system which increases the overall yield of the land, combines the production of crops (including tree crops) and forest plants and/or animals simultaneously or sequentially, on the same unit of land, and applies management practices that are compatible with the cultural practices of the local population. And cover cropping also aims to to preserve the agricultural land. These agricultural practices will help foster sustainable and integrated agriculture which help preserve the land and uphold water conservation.

I think this would only conserve water if 2 conditions were met:

1. Natural water sources like creeks and ponds are not diverted; including not emptying subterranean aquifers for irrigation.

2. The plant life on the forest floor, and the insect and fungus life, are mostly protected from pesticides fungicides and insecticides. That is, the root systems of the farmed plants cannot replace the root system,s of the forest.

Otherwise, the water cycle of the forest itself will be destroyed, and the forest will fail.

Terry Trowbridge

Choen Krainara Thanks to both of you for your insights on this burning issue.

Thank you Mr. Rohit for showing immense interest in our research. Agro-forestry and cover cropping checks the run-off of rainwater and allows the water to infilitrate into the soil. This infiltrated water recharges the groundwater table and thus leads to water conservation.

Rohit Kumar

Both agroforestry and cover cropping practices promote sustainable water management in agriculture by enhancing soil health, reducing water loss through evaporation and runoff, improving water infiltration and retention, and supporting overall farm resilience to water stress and climate variability. Integrating these practices into farming systems can contribute significantly to water conservation efforts while maintaining or even enhancing crop productivity and ecosystem health.

Dear Doctor

Go To

Soil and Water Conservation through Agroforestry

Submitted By Rashida Rocksana Mou

[ABSTRACT

A considerable amount of land is degraded throughout the world due to manmade and natural activities. Soil fertility and productivity are being decreased due to intense cropping system and improper management of soil. A broader field is that of soil and water conservation, since reduction in water loss through runoff is an integral part of soil conservation. Soil is conserved through enhancing soil fertility. Improvement in soil fertility takes place by the process of checking soil erosion and runoff, maintaining soil organic matter, enhancement of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, increment of nitrogen input by N-fixing trees and shrubs, and mining of minerals from lower horizons by roots and its recycling through litter fall on ground. Agroforestry system has the potential to conserve soil through reducing erosion. Ground water quality also improved by agroforestry system. Agroforestry is a medium and a combination of agricultural and forestry technologies to create integrated, diverse and productive land use systems. Trees help to reduce direct raindrop impact on crop through reducing erosive force and water is available for crop. In agroforestry systems, soil erosion is controlled and soil fertility is increased remarkably, while water is also conserved through enhancing infiltration rate, hydraulic conductivity.]

Sundus F Hantoosh

Thank you very much sir for this reference ..

Bhawna Vijay Agroforestry and cover cropping help farmers manage water better. They improve soil health, keeping water from evaporating or running off fields, and help soil absorb and hold onto water. This makes farms more resilient to dry weather and changes in climate. Using these methods can save water and still keep crops growing well, which is important for sustainable farming.

Suhel Sen

yes sir Agro-forestry and cover cropping help rainwater soak into the ground instead of running off. This process recharges groundwater, which is crucial for saving water. For instance, studies show that agro-forestry can increase water infiltration rates by up to 50%, helping to conserve our water resources effectively.