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Current page: Home > what we do > terraces Terraces 
Terracing land is an integral part of our model as it helps prevent soil erosion and reduces water run-off. Land can lose 50 to 250 tonnes of topsoil a hectare every year if not protected by trees and terracing. The loss of valuable, nutritious top soil is often cited as one of the greatest threats to African food security. The simple, but labour intensive, process of terracing farmland can significantly reduce this problem. Terracing also reduces water run off. In eroded lands rainwater run-off is between 20% and 70%, whilst in conserved land water run-off is between 0% and 10%. In semi-arid environments, retaining water in the farm and maintaining soil fertility are vital to achieve food security. That is why we encourage the community groups we work with to terrace their own land and the communal land near the dams. Terracing is integrated with dam building as the terraces are designed to improve the flow of water into the dam catchment area. They also prevent soil entering the river behind the dam, which would reduce the effectiveness of the dam. Since terracing is such hard work, this is a key area where Excellent's community approach is vital. Alone, it would take one person at least one day to dig just 10 metres of terracing. However, when communities are motivated to come together and help each other out, they are able to make unbelievable progress. In two years, 40 communities have dug an incredible 300,000 metres of terracing. The impacts of such a simple solution should not be underestimated. As a result of terraces, farmers are able to grow much more food, not only keeping them and their families alive, but enabling surplus food to be sold to provide basic necessities and even school fees for their children.
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