Sistema Ghout
The Ghout system is a traditional agricultural practice from the Souf region of Algeria that involves excavating depressions in sand dunes to bring date palms closer to the groundwater table. This method makes efficient use of groundwater with minimal irrigation and energy requirements, while enhancing resilience to arid conditions.
Country:
The Ghout system is a traditional agricultural system of the Sahara Desert, developed primarily in the Souf region of Algeria. It consists of excavating depressions in sand dunes to reach the groundwater table, allowing date palms to grow. This method makes direct use of groundwater, enabling agricultural production with minimal irrigation and energy use while contributing to soil conservation and adaptation to arid conditions.
Water use efficiency
Main theme:
African
Region:
50 - 100
Precipitation (mm):
Medium
Application difficulty:
2, 6, 11, 13 and 15
SDGs impacted:
Gravity
Energy used:
70 - 90
Efficiency (%):
Rural
Sector:
They promote the efficient and sustainable use of groundwater by reducing the need for pumping and irrigation infrastructure. They contribute to dune stabilization and soil conservation, create microclimates that mitigate high temperatures and evaporation, maintain the biodiversity characteristic of oasis ecosystems, and help combat desertification while preserving a traditional agricultural system adapted to extreme arid conditions.
Expected environmental impact:
$2000 - $10000
Estimated value: