• are usually associated with annual crops
• are repeated routinely each season or in a rotational sequence
• are of short duration and not permanent
• do not lead to changes in slope profile
• are normally independent of slope.

The agronomic measures implemented in DESIRE were

• minimum tillage
• stubble management
• mulch/residue
• green cover
• contour ploughing
• rotation/fertility
• deep ploughing with minimum tillage

• involve the use of perennial grasses, shrubs or trees
• are of long duration
• often lead to a change in slope profile
• are often aligned along the contour or against the prevailing wind direction
• are often spaced according to slope.

The vegetative measure implemented in DESIRE were

• planting (trees)
• woven fence
• fire break

• involve a fundamental change in land use
• involve no agronomic and structural measures
• often result in improved vegetative cover
• often reduce the intensity of use.

The management measures implemented in DESIRE were

• prescribed burning
• fencing/resting
• biogas

• often lead to a change in slope profile
• are of long duration or permanent
• are carried out primarily to control runoff, wind velocity and erosion and to harvest rainwater
• often require substantial inputs of labour or money when first installed
• are often aligned along the contour/against prevailing wind direction
• are often spaced according to slope
• involve major earth movements and/or construction with wood, stone, concrete etc.

The structural measures implemented in DESIRE were

• terrace (bench)
• terrace (sloping)
• land reclamation (dam)
• freshwater to wash saline soil
• drip irrigation
• water harvesting
• gully control