France, Nov. 8 -- "Instead of ploughing the entire land, I only disrupt the specific spot where plants will grow," Matsapa told RFI at his farm.

The potholes technique - which captures water, concentrates organic matter and drastically improves crop yields in dry areas - is part of a practice known as agroecology, a system which produces food while protecting the environment.

It involves sustainable farming practices that improve soil health, conserve water and increase biodiversity.

A report published last month by the charity ActionAid showed that agroecology can deliver comparable or greater yields than industrial agriculture. Among its findings were a 41 percent average rise in cereal yields from rotating legumes with cereals acros...