Modelling tropical soil water regimes in semi-arid environments

Soil moisture available to crops is among the main constraints on crop production by smallholder farmers in semi-arid Zimbabwe. Other restrictions, such as limited use of fertilisers and herbicides, stem primarily from socio-economic rather than biophysical constraints. To improve smallholder farming, it is essential to promote soil and water conservation practices (SWC) that consider farmers' management constraints, such as limited availability of labour and Draught Animal Power (DAP). [Continues.]