The Ridge Maker

A suitable device for cheap and fast terraces construction

Adjusting the ridge maker while the tractor is moving

Soil conservation partner observing the terrace

Traditionally farmers in semi-arid areas in Eastern Sudan harvest water for agriculture by manual construction of terraces that consume high levels of physical effort and time. During 2007 a Practical Action Food Security Project in Kassala introduced a ridge maker for terrace erection as an appropriate technology that is cost-effective and suitable for the local environment whilst still achieving the technical standard required. The ridge maker is superior to other methods of terrace construction in terms of both quality and cost.

The ridge maker is a tool usually pulled by a tractor to form ridges that form the terrace. It is very fast at constructing terraces; it can complete 100 meters of terrace in one minute. This means it takes just four minutes to construct a crescent shaped terrace spanning five feddans, see pictures.

Early trials of the ridge maker were done on old eroded terraces and also on new flat land and the following results were recorded:

1. During the reconstruction of an old terrace, the width of the terrace increased to 100 cm, and the depth varied from 40-60 cm
2. In the erection of a new terrace the final width was 90 cm, and the depth varied from 35-50 cm

The advantages of this device could be summarized by the following statements:

• It is fast and therefore it saves time
• Cost of terrace construction will be 40% less compared to current costs. Farmers will pay only 60% cost to tractor owner (economically efficient) 
• Technically accepted by Department of Soil Conservation and Agricultural Extension who took part in the training of the equipment 
• Prospects of sustainability are increased.
• El Gandoul Umbrella CBO are expected to access funds from the Agricultural Bank to have a tractor that is considered a productive asset owned by the CBO to permit wider use of the newly introduced technology.

This article appeared in issue 14 of Practical Action Sudan's newsletter, Sharing