Farming practices that has reduced the effects of drought and soil erosion?

1. Conservation tillage: This practice involves minimal disturbance of the soil, which helps to retain moisture and reduce erosion. By leaving crop residues on the soil surface, conservation tillage also helps to protect the soil from erosion.

2. Cover cropping: Planting cover crops, such as legumes or grasses, between cash crops can help to improve soil health and reduce erosion. Cover crops help to hold the soil in place, reduce water runoff, and improve soil structure.

3. Crop rotation: Rotating crops can help to improve soil health and reduce the risk of erosion. Different crops have different root structures and nutrient needs, so rotating crops can help to break up pest cycles, improve soil fertility, and reduce erosion.

4. Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes can help to reduce erosion and improve soil health. Trees and shrubs help to stabilize the soil, reduce water runoff, and provide habitat for beneficial organisms.

5. Water conservation practices: Implementing water conservation practices, such as drip irrigation or rainwater harvesting, can help to reduce the effects of drought on crops. By efficiently using water resources, farmers can ensure that their crops have an adequate water supply during dry periods.

6. Soil amendments: Adding organic matter, such as compost or manure, to the soil can help to improve soil structure, increase water retention, and reduce erosion. Soil amendments can also help to increase soil fertility and support healthy plant growth.

7. Agroecological practices: Adopting agroecological practices, such as agroforestry, intercropping, and integrated pest management, can help to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and increase resilience to drought. By working with natural ecosystems and processes, farmers can create sustainable agricultural systems that are better able to withstand environmental challenges.

Farming Practices to Reduce Drought Effects:

- Drought-Tolerant Crops: Planting crops that are naturally resistant to water stress, such as sorghum, millet, and drought-resistant varieties of wheat and corn.
- Mulching: Covering the soil surface with organic materials like straw, wood chips, or compost helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds that compete for water.
- Cover Cropping: Planting a cover crop during fallow periods improves soil structure, enhances water infiltration, and reduces evaporation.
- Conservation Tillage: Practices like no-till farming and reduced tillage minimize soil disturbance, preserving soil moisture and improving soil health.
- Drip Irrigation: Efficient watering method that delivers water directly to plant roots, minimizing water loss through evaporation or runoff.

Farming Practices to Reduce Soil Erosion:

- No-Till Farming: Leaving crop residues on the soil surface provides cover and reduces the impact of rainfall and wind on the soil.
- Contour Farming: Planting crops along contours of the land helps slow down water flow and reduce erosion.
- Strip Cropping: Alternating rows of different crops or vegetation creates barriers that trap sediment and reduce erosion.
- Terracing and Contouring: Creating terraces or contour lines on steep slopes prevents water from running off the land too quickly.
- Cover Cropping: As mentioned above, cover crops improve soil structure and reduce erosion by stabilizing the soil surface.
- Vegetated Buffers: Establishing strips of vegetation along waterways and field edges traps sediment and filters pollutants.
- Windbreaks: Rows of trees or shrubs planted perpendicular to prevailing winds create a barrier that reduces wind speed and soil erosion.