How does the rainwater planting technique work?
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“Planting rainwater”, an ancient technique to save water in times of drought
The Inspiration of a Shepherd
Clément Damiens, a shepherd in Champis, Ardèche, found himself in a critical situation due to the need for water for his 500 sheep. Given the insufficiency of conventional rainwater collectors, he took the initiative to dig ditches on his farm, thus creating natural rainwater reservoirs.
This idea not only provides water for your sheep, but also improves pasture quality through irrigation.
How does the rainwater planting technique work?
The technique consists of digging ditches that capture rainwater before it reaches streams.
In seasons of intense rain, these ditches slow down the flow of water, allowing its infiltration into the soil and improving water retention in the land. This not only benefits Clément’s sheep, but also the quality of the pasture and local biodiversity.
Multiple benefits and costs
In addition to improving water availability, moats help conserve excess water in natural basins, slowing its leakage into streams and rivers.
Clément invested approximately €35,000, financed by various entities, to build these pits. The effectiveness of his system was demonstrated when, after a heavy downpour, one of the ditches overflowed.
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An Additional Step: Planting Shrubs
To further enhance his system, Clément planted 2,000 shrubs along the canals, in order to increase biodiversity, protect the moats from the wind and improve water retention. This measure also highlights the importance of understanding the irregular rainfall cycle and the need for adaptive strategies for water management.
A model to follow
This traditional approach, adapted to modern needs, not only represents a viable solution for Clément and his community, but also offers a model for other farmers in similar situations.
The “rainwater planting” technique is pioneering in the Ardèche, but its relevance and applicability are attracting the attention of farmers across the region, marking an important step towards sustainable and efficient water management in times of climate change.
This surprising but effective technique involves creating ditches or canals to collect and conserve rainwater, a key strategy to combat prolonged droughts.
Source: Portalagricola.com