3. Testing the effectiveness of SWC technologies
3.1. Challenging orthodox beliefs
SWC programmes have been based on the assumption that accelerated soil loss is the principal cause of land degradation. The rationale behind the promotion of conventional SWC technologies is based on the assumption that there is a direct relationship between soil erosion and productivity loss (Hillel, 1991, p. 161; Tengberg et al., 1998). In recent years this has been disputed (Shaxson, 1997). Research in Honduras sought to determine whether a widely promoted SWC technology—live barriers of Vetiveria zizanioides (vetiver grass)—makes any difference to soil loss or to agricultural production on the type of slopes being cultivated by smallholder farmers.