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Compendium on Rainwater Harvesting for Agriculture in the Caribbean Sub-region

Concepts, calculations and definitions for small, rain-fed farm systems

Year of publication 2014

Pages 72 p.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Document

Category Other document

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The purpose of this document is to provide a practical tool to train and build human capacity in the Caribbean sub-region in the practice of rainwater harvesting. Application of rainwater harvesting techniques will produce measurable improvements in livelihood and household food security, generated by access to reliable water resources for irrigation. The document is targeted to agricultural smallholders operating on two hectares of land or less, as well as backyard gardeners and school gardenin g projects. It describes simply, but carefully the relationships between plants, soil, water, climate and rainfall, and on-farm rainwater harvesting. The document uses calculations and tables to explain the concepts, charts and drawings to illustrate them. Furthermore, both metric and imperial systems of measurement are used throughout to facilitate practical application of the knowledge gained by users. It includes important definitions and reference tables to provide added guidance to users. A dditionally, each example of a rainwater-harvesting system is illustrated by the relevant drawings and/or photographs. In a step-by-step approach to knowledge-building, the document addresses the following five areas: (a) design rainfall; (b) the catchment area and storage design; (c) reference crop evapotranspiration and crop water requirements; (d) managing effective rainfall and cumulative storage; and (e) rainwater harvesting systems suitable for the Caribbean sub-region.

Language English

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