Conservation agriculture an overview sciencedirect topics. These manuals contain useful technical information on good agricultural practices that offer practical answers to questions normally asked by farmers of what, why. In turn, factors influencing the adoption of conservation agriculture. Technical guides used in each field office are localized so that they apply specifically to the geographic area for which they are prepared. The role of conservation agriculture in sustainable. It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground surface, which contribute to increased water and nutrient use efficiency and to improved and sustained crop. More recently, it has become widely promoted and adopted in latin america. Conservation agriculture ca is defined as a sustainable agriculture production system comprising a set of farming practices adapted to the requirements of crops and local conditions of each region, whose farming and soil management techniques protect the soil from erosion and degradation, improve its quality and biodiversity, and contribute to the preservation of the. They contain technical information about the conservation of soil, water, air, and related plant and animal resources. Before implementing conservation agriculture, any limitation related to pest, weed and soil fertility must be assessed and addressed. Pdf conservation agriculture ca is characterized by minimal soil. Conservation agriculture food and agriculture organization. Conservation practices water and agriculture information.
It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground surface, which contribute to increased water and nutrient use efficiency and to. It was a miracle, she says, i will practise conservation agriculture forever. But given the prevalence of annual cropping around the world, those tons. Ceap activities are organized into three interconnected efforts. Conservation agriculture ca can sustainably address soil degradation and improve crop yields.
To combat these challenges, conservation agriculture ca a suite of agricultural practices consisting of zero tillage, mulching of crop residues, and intercropping with legumes is widely promoted as a sustainable package of agricultural practices. Subbian department of agronomy, tamil nadu agricultural university, coimbatore641 003 abstract conservation tillage decreases soil erosion, leaching of fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides into the ground water. Conservation agriculture ca benefits include increased organic matter, improved water retention, improved soil fertility, reduced soil erosion, reduced weed infestation, crop productivity and others. Conservation agriculture is seen as an ideal system for sustainable and climatesmart agricultural intensification, through which farmers can attain higher. Broadly categorizing there are two methods of soil conservation. Conservation agriculture abides by these principles to keep the soil together as a living ecosystem that enables food production and helps redress climate change. In 2015 16, ca was practised globally on about 180 m ha of cropland.
Conservation practices and animal agriculture livestock. Designing, formulating and planning national strategies and policies that provide incentives for farmers to adopt conservation. Conservation in an agriculture landscape state of the apes. Agriculture practices that are climate resilient and make investments in sustainable agricultural. Assessment of the effects of conservation practices on cultivated cropland in the upper mississippi river basin. Geological survey to enhance the management of agricultural landscapes land cover map of the conterminous united states from early 1990s data vogelmann and others, 2001.
Dsr supported by conservation agriculture cabased crop management practices is perceived to address the challenge of producing more rice grain with less. Conservation agriculture ca is a set of soil management practices that minimize the disruption of the soils structure, composition and natural biodiversity. Ca has proven potential to improve crop yields, while improving the longterm environmental and financial sustainability of farming. The planning of farm activities in conservation agriculture systems requires skills, knowledge and moreover, practice. Conservation agriculture should help you grow more, and will produce a greater variety of crops. Minde abstract this study is based on a panel survey interviewing 416 farmers practising conservation agriculture for at least five cropping seasons. Agriculture innovation as a solution for farmers, consumers, and the environment. As ceap evolved, the scope was expanded to provide research and assessment on how to best use conservation practices in managing agricultural landscapes to protect and enhance environmental quality. Conservation agriculture ca climatesmart agriculture.
Soil and water handbook for professional agricultural workers united states department of agriculture soil conservation service. What is conservation agriculture ca ca is a set of soil management practices that minimize the disruption of the soils structure, composition and natural biodiversity. Despite high variability in the types of crops grown and specific management regimes, all forms of conservation agriculture share three core principles. Conservation agriculture ca plays a critical role in tackling food insecurity, which mainly aff ects the african small scale farmer. Ca is an application of modern agricultural technologies to improve. The bibliographies focus on how practices affect erosion and sedimentation, nitrogen, pathogens, pesticides, phosphorus, and fish and wildlife 2000 to present. To the extent that a new balance between the organisms and the farm ecosystems pests and beneficial. This paper provides details on wilmar internationals conservation policies, practices, and initiatives. It contributes to environmental conservation as well as to enhanced and sustained agricultural production. In africa, however, adoption rates by smallscale farmers has been slower and more context specific fao 2009 1. Conservation agriculture practices in rainfed uplands of india improve maizebased system productivity and profitability. Common agroforestry af practices and technologies with relevance to cawt. This may imply chemical and labour inputs at the beginning which might partly exceed conventional levels.
Second, conservation agriculture practices were largely developed and refined on corn, soybean, wheat and cotton farms in the midwest and great plains. For those systems, conservation agriculture equipment and guidance are abundant. Reviews of the state of the art and research needs 1. The principles of conservation agriculture conservation agriculture takes advantage of natural ecological processes to conserve moisture, enhance soil fertility, and improve soil structure, and to reduce soil erosion and the presence of diseases and pests. Notill practices, crop rotation, and cover crops are all techniques that reduce ecological impacts from agriculture and maintain conventional. It includes an overview of the companys commitment to conservation and the challenges faced, as well as case studies on its research collaborations and partnerships with. Conservation agriculture is generally a winwin situation for both farmers and the environment. It is therefore prerequisite that soil conservation practices should be adopted. Conservation or ecoagriculture involves multiple elements to protect wildlife. Will you be able to harvest these crops, dry them, and store them in your grain store. Effect of conservation agriculture management practices on maize productivity and selected soil quality indices under south africa dryland conditions.
Offers a dynamic search of nal catalog agricola article citations on efficient irrigation and water conservation methods for agriculture. Pdf comparative economic and gender, labor analysis of. The conservation farming unit works to provide small and medium scale farmers with the supporting environment, knowledge and practical experience to help them successfully adopt conservation farming and conservation agriculture practices. However, the success of ca amongst south african smallholder farmers is not known. The role of agriculture in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The process of notill is one that follows the first principle of ca, causing. With best agronomic management practices bmps, including conservation agriculture ca and cropping system diversification, the productivity of rice and wheatbased cropping systems of south asia increased substantially, whereas the global.
Conservation, agriculture, zero tillage, erosion submitted march 22, 2006 approved august 6, 2006 posted august 31, 2006 abst act the concept of conservation agriculture ca is outlined in a series of principles and practices that are promoted. Soil conservation measures should aim at preventing or at least minimising the soils loss. With best agronomic management practices bmps, including conservation agriculture ca and cropping system diversification, the productivity of rice and wheatbased cropping systems of south asia increased substantially, whereas the global warming potential intensity gwpi decreased. Early adoption of conservation agriculture practices. Conservation agriculture ca was introduced in the 1930s as a soil conservation system to counter the dust bowl in the united states. Yet many people intimately involved with worldwide food production have been slow to recognize its many advantages and consider it to be a viable alternative to conventional agricultural practices that are having obvious negative impact on the environment. Many conservation practices are available for animal agriculture producers interested in protecting air and water quality, improving soil health or wildlife habitat, and increasing the productivity of animals, pastures, and crops. Ers analyzes trends in the adoption of a range of crop and livestock production practices and their effectiveness in reducing costs, increasing farming profitability, minimizing losses to the environment, and conserving natural resources. Investigating the environmental effects of agriculture practices on natural resources scientific contributions of the u. Conservation agriculture enables crops to use the nutrients in the soil more effectively. Assessment of the effects of conservation practices on. Investigating the environmental effects of agriculture.
An essential component for act is building the capacity of frontline agricultural extension and research staff in conservation agriculture. Conservation agriculture ca is defined as a sustainable agriculture production system comprising a set of farming practices adapted to the requirements of crops and local conditions of each region, whose farming and soil management techniques protect the soil from erosion and degradation, improve its quality and biodiversity, and contribute to the preservation of the natural resources, water. Tillage systems traditional practices minimum tillage 3. Adoption of conservation tillage crop production practices may be a viable means for sustaining agriculture and improving air, water and soil quality in californias central valley. In conservation agriculture there are many examples that can be looked towards as a way of farming and at the same time conserving. Pdf potential of conservation agriculture for ecosystem. A major cause of this is declining soil fertility, often caused by the way of farming. Conservation agriculture offers an opportunity for all farmers in all regions of zimbabwe to improve yields and income, food security and. We train over 200,000 farmers each year in 45 districts of zambia. Opportunities and challenges bruce sosola1, sileshi gudeta1, festus akinnifesi1 and olu ajayi1 abstract conservation agriculture ca benefits include increased organic matter, improved water retention, improved soil fertility, reduced soil erosion, reduced weed infestation, crop productivity and. This paper provides details on wilmar internationals conservation policies, practices, and initiatives in and around its oilpalm concessions in asia and africa. Assessment of conservation agriculture practices by. Technical guides are the primary scientific references for nrcs. Conservation agriculture tools and equipment by peter kuria conservation agriculture training for moa staff, nairobi on 6th november, 2012 2.
There is general agreement that sustainable and economically viable agriculture will be achieved through the adoption of regenerative conservation agriculture principles and practices. Another policy option is to offer direct incentives for agricultures mitigation activities, an approach similar to current federal conservation programs, such as the conservation reserve program crp. It has to take in account crop rotations 23 year planning, soil cover management, other farm activities such as livestock, marketing or food processing as well as other fa. Since the 1930s, during the following 75 years, members of the farming community have been advocating a move to reduced tillage systems that use less fossil fuel, reduce runoff and erosion of soils and reverse the loss of soil organic matter. This paper details wilmar internationals conservation policies, practices, and initiatives in and around its oilpalm concessions in asia and africa.
Conservation agriculture conservation farming unit. Conservation agriculture practices and adoption by smallholder farmers in zimbabwe kizito mazvimavi 1, patrick v. The rising population has forced farmers to aban don traditional practices that left. Conservation agriculture as a viable and feasible option to farm sustainability. It has to take in account crop rotations 23 year planning, soil cover management, other farm activities such as livestock, marketing or food processing as well as other factors climate, labour availability, etc.
In order to do this proper land utilisation coupled with agricultural practices should be adopted. Hence, the combination of conventional agriculture and climate change create a real threat to the productivity and profitability of the western cape winter grain sector and to national food security. About us conservation agriculture systems innovation. American agriculture is environmentally sound, economically viable, and consumer focused, and its. Reviews of the state of the been reproduced essentially as supplied by the art and research needs, special reference authors. Conservation agriculture practices are reducing the need for ploughing and, with it, delays in maize planting. Sustainable agriculture and soil conservation soilfriendly farming systems and practices fact sheet no. Streamside vegetation, grassed filter strips, and wetlands help keep our water supply clean by reducing the movement of pathogens, nutrients, and pesticides into streams, rivers, and lakes. It is from this background that agricultural stakeholders started advocating the use of conservation agriculture practices by smallholder farmers. The main focus of conservation agriculture has been on high management levels and good extension work, optimising all resources through best land and field practices.
To determine best agricultural practices, the eotulelo group. Establishing rice and maize on untilled permanent beds, using straw as mulch, has produced higher grain yields using fewer inputs than crops sown on ploughed land. Conservation agriculture is a farming system that promotes minimum soil disturbance i. Conservation practices play an important role in decreasing food safety risks on the farm.
The response of farmers to conservation agriculture is measured by the rate of adoption of the practice, and the decision to adopt is a function of several factors including perception. Conservation agriculture practices in rainfed uplands of. It can also be referred to as resource efficient agriculture. Conservation agriculture ca encompasses a set of complementary agricultural practices. Comparative economic and gender, labor analysis of conservation agriculture practices in tribal villages in india. These bibliographies cover various agricultural conservation practices such as conservation tillage, cover crops and stream restoration. The training contributes in the development and promotion of conservation. Earlier versions cover 19942003 articles, 19942003 books, and 19881994. Conservation agriculture ca climatesmart agriculture guide. Conservation agriculture ca offers an alternative system which allows for agricultural intensification while improving soil health. Thanks to conservation agriculture, maria has to do less work, her yields have gone up, and she has become an independent, confident member of the community. Through improved reporting and access to conservation data, usda and the public will be able to understand and monitor conservation and productivity trends and progress. The government would set rules for eligible practices and payment amounts, just as it does for other conservation programs. Conservation agriculture aims to boost agricultural production by optimising the use of farm resources and helping to reduce widespread land degradation through the integrated management of available soil, water and biological resources combined with external inputs.
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