An appraisal of soil conservation technologies on hillside farms in Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua

A collaborative research project was undertaken on-farm with the participation of researchers and farmers in hillside areas of Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. Low-cost soil conservation measures were investigated, in areas where soil loss and degradation is and was perceived as a major problem Live contour barriers (grasses and leguminous crops), cover crops, stone walls and ditches were established by farmers on their land under their management Economic data provided by the farmers allowed a cost-benefit analysis to be carried out from their perspective, using prices faced by them. Inputs provided by the household, such as family labour, were priced at their nearest cost on the market Those technologies having lowest costs in terms of cash outlay and labour input provided the greatest economic returns, with Gliricidia, vetiver grass and leguminous cover crops appearing attractive for farmer adoption.