Greening Africa: YEJI Village Swales Restore 10,000ha
By Darren Doherty
TL;DR: Large-scale keyline swales in African drylands dramatically increased water retention, groundwater levels, and agricultural yields.
- 500km of keyline swales transformed drylands.
- Retained 1.2M liters daily, boosting groundwater 60%.
- Crop yields surged by 400%; vegetation cover by 70%.
- Participatory mapping and audits ensured success.
- Large machinery enabled rapid, extensive earthworks.
Why it matters: Massive earthworks, strategically applied, can regenerate degraded drylands, offering a scalable solution for food and water security in vulnerable regions.
Do this next: Investigate topographical mapping and keyline design principles for your property or community to identify potential water harvesting opportunities.
Recommended for: Anyone interested in large-scale permaculture design, dryland regeneration, and water management in arid regions.
Darren Doherty's Greening Australia project report documents 500km of on-contour keyline swales in African drylands using CAT D6 dozers, retaining 1.2M liters/day and boosting groundwater 60%. GPS-tracked designs on 10,000ha, swales 4m wide x 2m deep at 1:2000, spaced 20m. Earthmoving specs: 1.5m³ passes, 100km/month. Results from well logs, community monitoring: crop yields +400%, vegetation cover +70%. Protocols: participatory mapping, annual audits. Emphasizes dryland regen with specifics for replication.