Origin, application, and design of the fanya juu terrace

Abstract

The fanya juu terrace is a structural method of soil conservation that has been widely practiced on small, labour-intensive farms in Kenya. Attempts have been made to introduce it elsewhere as well. "Fanya juu" is the Swahili expression for "make it up". The term refers to the practice of digging a ditch on the contour and throwing the soil uphill to form an embankment, which is subsequently stabilized by planting grass.