Experience has shown that low farm productivity problems cannot be solved solely through isolated solutions, such as increased use of inorganic fertilisers, improved seed, irrigation and/or mechanisation. What is needed is an integrated approach, which addresses soil fertility problems as an integral part of Sustainable Land Management (SLM). Improvements can be achieved through the positive synergies resulting from the combined adoption of improved crop/plant, soil and rainwater management practices that offer both production and environmental benefits. This is the essence of what is referred to as the Better Land Husbandry (BLH) approach. Land husbandry is a broader concept than soil and water conservation. It addresses the household livelihood system in regard to the management of land resources, inputs and outputs with the aim of improving the productivity and sustainability of the production system.
