Natural vegetative strips (NVS) are narrow live barriers comprising naturally occurring grasses and herbs. Wide strips are left unploughed to allow vegetation to grow and to slow surface runoff. Natural terraces form over time as a result of the eroded soil accumulation on the strips. The vegetation on the established NVS needs to be cut back to a height of 5 to 10 cm: once before planting a crop, and once or twice during the cropping period. The residual material can be reused in different applications such as incorporated during land preparation, applied to the cropping area as mulch, or used as fodder. NVS is a low-cost technique, no planting material is required, and only minimal labour is necessary for establishment and maintenance. Furthermore, some farmers plant fruit and timber trees, other cash perennials and bananas or pineapples on or above the NVS these, provide an additional source of income.