No. 46, Fall/Winter 1999
Tools for Small Farmers

The man who farms water: Unmortared stone walls for water infiltration

In the compound area directly around the household of Mr. Phiri's farm, the ground is kept clear of grasses and shrubs for protection against fire and snakes. Nonetheless, water harvesting is still being conducted. Here, Mr. Phiri is standing in front of low, unmortared stone walls that slow rainwater flow across the bare soil, allowing it to infiltrate into the ground.

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