Unit12
Negarims
Negarim
Microcatchment : Negarim
• small infiltration area• surrounding bunds• runoff captured at lowest point
= 1 - 5 %
Productive trees (almond, apricot, peach, carob, pistachio, olive, pomegranates, vine, citrus) or bushes
Reforestation
= 3 - 250 m²
= 3 : 1 to
= 1 - 10 m²
25 : 1
= 150-600 mm/yr
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Negarims
Negarim with bushes; Photo: Oweis
Negarim
Unit12
Negarims
Aerial view of a negarim system; Photo: Lövenstein
Negarim
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Negarims
CONSTRUCTION :• Manual
Negarim
LIMITATIONS:• Mechanization impossible
LABOUR DEMAND :• High (construction +
maintenance)
MAINTENANCE : • Weed catchment• Loosen soil in cropping area• Mulch cropping area after receipt of water• Insert infiltration tube (optional)• Keep grazing animals away• Apply fertilizer (optional)• Repair bunds immediately after damage
Negarim system; Source: Rocheleau 1988
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NegarimsNegarim
Plan and cross-section of negarimmicrocatchments,
usual layout Source: Barrow 1987, redrawn
DIMENSIONS:• height of bund: ³ 25 cm• depth of planting pit:
40 cm - 1.5 m• cross-section: 5 - 30 m Variation of negarim: planting pit in
centre
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Negarims
Negarim
A
A
B
B
x (v
aries)x (varies)
Slo
pe
Infiltrationpit
Detailed plan view and cross-section of negarim; Source: Critchley & Siegert 1991
1:11:1
x (varies)
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NegarimsNegarim
Height of bunds
below the pit (maximum height)
Quantities of earth-works for negarims;Source: Critchley & Siegert 1991
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NegarimsStep One
• Stake out the contour by using a line level or a water tube level
• Smooth contours if required
• If the topography is very uneven, separate blocks of negarims
Layout and Construction of Negarim
Step Two
• Mark the tips along the contour at even spacing with a tape.
Source: Critchley & Siegert 1991
Unit12
Negarims
Layout and Construction of Negarim
Step Three
• Hold a string from each of both tips of a microcatchment .
If held tight, they will meet at the lowest point of the catchment (apex)
• Mark the apex with a peg
• Continue until all catchments in the upper row have been marked
Step Four
• Lay out the next lower row :
• The apex of the catchment below is now a tip of the second row
• Repeat Step Three for all further rows
Contour
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NegarimsStep Five
• Stake out size and excavate pit
Layout and Construction of Negarim
Step Six
• Clear the catchment of all vegetation
• Use the excavated soil from the pit to construct the bunds in two
layers
• Wet and compact bund by foot or with a barrel filled with sand or
water
• Fix a string at the beginning and end of each side of the bund and
adjust it
above ground at the selected bund height to ensure a uniform
height
Step Seven
• Plant tree seedlings of at least 30 cm height after the first rain of
the season
• It is recommended to plant two seedlings: one in the bottom of the
pit and
one on a step at the back of the pit.
Unit12
Negarims
• Negarims are diamond-shaped microbasins surrounded by
low earth bunds
• The distance between the most distant points is 5-30 m
• They are mainly used for growing fruit trees and fodder bushes
• Negarims are constructed manually
• The labour demand is high
Summary