Contour ploughing is a well-established agronomic measure that contributes to soil and water conservation (Krüger et al. 1997) (see figure 1). The soil is ploughed along the contour instead of up- and downward (see figure 1). This decreases the velocity of runoff and thus soil erosion by concentrating water in the downward furrows.

Constructing contour bunding helps to retain soil and nutrients, reduce land degradation and increase crop productivity. Significantly, implementing contour bunding reduces soil loss by 163%, and the majority of farmers (78%) perceive that they earned a higher income from crops sown in bunded fields.