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In arid and semi-arid regions of the world, water is the limiting factor for food production; especially in areas where rain-fed agriculture dominates. Rainwater harvesting systems have the potential to provide a sustainable source of water, while helping to achieve food security and combat soil erosion and flood hazards, simultaneously, if designed correctly. Therefore, land-based rainwater harvesting systems are able to increase crop yields significantly. A variety of techniques for micro and macro-catchment rainwa-ter harvesting schemes are reviewed, with emphasis on design factors which will ensure a functional system. However, in spite of the potential to increase agricultural productivity with the help of micro and macro-catchment rainwater harvesting, and thus food availability, the implementation of these tech-niques is not as widely distributed amongst farmers as it could be.
UPDATE: The updated version of this literature review is part of RUVIVAL Publication Series Volume 2.
- Literature Review on Managed Aquifer Recharge in the Context of Water and Soil Restoration Methods (pp. 6-18)
- Literature Review on the Rainwater Harvesting Research Landscape, In-Situ and Domestic Design Examples and Best Practice Projects in China and Brazil (pp. 19-35)
- A Review of Land-Based Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Micro and Macro-Catchments (pp. 36-49)
