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Justdiggit

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Fanya Juu & Fanya Chini

Digging contours and harvesting rainwater in six steps
Next to digging bunds and bringing back trees with Kisiki Hai, we apply other nature-based techniques in our landscape restoration projects. To prevent soil erosion and regreen degraded land, we apply rainwater harvesting techniques called Fanya Juu & Fanya Chini. With these techniques, we dig contours to harvest rainwater that requires a six-step process, benefitting tree planting interventions while simultaneously regreening large parts of the African landscape. 
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Fanya Juu

Fanya Juu translates to ‘throw it upwards’ in Swahili and consists of terrace bunds and ditches along the contour. Fanya Juu prevents the rain from flowing away, increasing water availability for the growing crops, supporting the regreening of land.

Fanya Chini

The title Fanya Chini means ‘throw it downwards’ in Swahili. Fanya Chini is similar to Fanya Juu, and this intervention aims to reduce soil erosion since it breaks down long slopes into smaller sections. This means the speed of the runoff will decrease, and water can infiltrate into the soil between the bunds - resulting in a reduction of nutrient leaching and more water availability for crops.

The six steps of Fanya Juu & Fanya Chini

In order to incorporate Fanya Juu & Fanya Chini onto a landscape, six significant steps should be measured which are crucial for the process of harvesting rainwater:
  • Step 1: Look
For the first step, it is important to identify the slope of the land and determine in which way the water is flowing. Contemplate where and how Fanya Juu/ Chini trenches block the water flow. Usually, Fanya Juu/ Chini trenches are about 10 to 20 meters apart from one another, though it is required to examine and decide the number of trenches. It is necessary to assure at least one at the top of the farm and one at the bottom.
  • Step 2: Measure
Within the second step, the exact lines of the contour will be measured, while a line-level or a hosepipe filled with water can be used. If it is unclear how to make use of this, a local fundi can be asked about e.g. masonry work is being measured. The same approach can be used to measure your land.
  • Step 3: Find people
For the third step, teamwork is of significant importance, and digging together will enable the process: create a group of people to work together on the Fanya Juu /Chini trenches. One option is that each month, the group works on the field of another group member until all have the trenches on their land. However, hiring people or an excavator to do the work is also an option. This is a clever investment since the trenches will increase crop yield and thus are able to provide an extra income.
  • Step 4: Dig
The digging of the trenches shall begin. Good to know: the trench is 60 centimeters deep and 60 centimeters wide, and every 10 meters you interrupt the trench to prevent the lateral flow of water which could create an erosion gully. On the top of the land, create a Fanya Chini: throwing the ground downwards to create a trench with a strong barrier to block water coming from uphill. Along the field and on the lowest part, create a Fanya Juu: throwing the ground upwards to keep the water and soil on the land, while creating a good environment to grow crops.
  • Step 5: Reinforce
By reinforcing the trenches with step 5, grasses or other plants with strong roots can be planted. This is to stabilize the soil heap.
  • Step 6: Maintain
The trenches need care and love: maintain them. Make sure to respect the trenches during ploughing and harvesting. Every year, silt from the trenches should be scooped out. The use of Fanya Juu & Fanya Chini is suitable for tree planting interventions, saving the trees, and enabling crops to grow once again. Not only does the technique work for the cultivation of annual crops (such as corn and beans), it can also be incorporated for water-demanding crops (such as bananas, fruits, and vegetables that are usually planted where the runoff collects).
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Learn more about the benefits of Fanya Juu & Fanya Chini and the application of this nature-based technique through our designated page.
  • Patrick Kiash

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    173 w

    Such a great six steps. Keep it up.

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    • Justdiggit

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      173 w

      Every step brings us closer to a greener and cooler planet 🌱

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