EDN #167 Now Available

In this issue

• Harvesting Water with Hafirs : Lessons from East Africa
• Echoes from our Network: Six Mulching Principles
• From ECHO's Seed Banks: Adzuki Bean
• Books, Websites, and Other Resources: Tools for Underutilized Crop Selection - VACS Explorer, CropBase, ISHS Symposium on Underutilized Crop Species and others

Download EDN 167

Harvesting Water with Hafirs

Harold Msanya

Excerpt:

Ensure the outlet system is properly designed, installed, and connected to regulate the release of water from the hafir efficiently and safely. The outlet system should be robust, easy to operate, and suited to the specific requirements of the reservoir’s use, whether for irrigation, livestock, or human use. It needs to be accessible for regular inspection and maintenance. Include mechanisms to clear debris or blockages without requiring complex equipment or significant disruption to the reservoir. Integrate an emergency overflow or spillway near the outlet to manage excess water during heavy rainfall or flooding, reducing the risk of damage to the reservoir or surrounding infrastructure.

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