Biomass production and market value of two types of grasses ( Pennisetum purpureum and riparium) grown on anti-erosive structures

This note comes back on-farm measurements that have been taken continuously over 15 months among 64 plots of 57 farms, in order to quantify the fresh biomass of the grass produced on the soil & water conservation structures throughout the year (for young and older plants) and its economic value. It shows that, the space “lost” for the setup of antierosive structures (soil bunds of Fanya juu), can be largely compensated by the high economic value of these fodder grass productions.

Planting perennial crops such as fodder grasses on these structures not only physically stabilize the soil and helps maintain its moisture, it also enables farmers to significantly increase the fodder resources of their farm and thereby generates a significant additional source of income for them.