SALT

In this installment of the Living Mountain Lab (previously known as “Knowledge Park”) video series, we explore the benefits and working principles of the Sloping Agricultural Land Technique (SALT) farming method.

In the Hindukush-Himalaya region, soil erosion poses a significant challenge to agricultural practices. Steep slopes and heavy rainfall accelerate the loss of fertile topsoil, jeopardizing the livelihoods of farming communities in the region. SALT presents a viable solution to combat this problem.
This farming technique converts steep slopes into terraced fields, effectively mitigating soil erosion. Hedgerows play a crucial role by serving as erosion barriers that over time, drive the build-up of terraces. The hedgerows also supply the farming system with nutrients through both the fixation of nitrogen into the surrounding soil and by providing green biomass for composting.