Crop yields decline rapidly, which makes farming unprofitable.
Thus farmers abandon these degraded lands or strive to maintain some degree of productivity. A study evaluated the benefits of organic matter in such a system, over two seasons. Organic matter was applied to the soils as a mulch, and crop yields and erosivity were evaluated agronomically as well as economically. Application of the organic matter commonly found in the region, reduced erosion significantly, especially in the wet season. Crop yields were also enhanced.