The semi-arid regions experience long dry spells and erratic rainfall less than 500mm per annum. This is often poorly distributed over three months. In addition the areas experience high temperatures of about 38° Celsius resulting in high evaporation rates. Where soils are poor there is also deep percolation. Water received therefore quickly disappears within a few hours of a rainstorm. Farmers in Manama Communal Area in Gwanda district of Zimbabwe have modified the standard contour ridges and the infiltration pits to suit these conditions and named the technique - Manama Infield Rainwater Harvesting Storage Facility. This was after the realisation that farmers were losing water after harvesting it, resulting in total crop failures especially during the dry spells.
