Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Farming
Conservation agriculture (CA) encompasses three fundamental principles: minimal soil disturbance through reduced tillage, maintaining biomass residues on the soil surface, and crop rotation with nitrogen-fixing legumes or cover crops. This approach has demonstrated its efficacy in dryland wheat farming systems, offering multiple advantages. CA enhances soil quality, improves water use efficiency, stabilizes yields, reduces input costs, and minimizes energy and time demands. Furthermore, it enriches soil biodiversity, mitigates emissions, and sequesters carbon, benefiting both farmers and the environment.
This technology is TAAT1 validated.
Three-year average total production under CA
Increase in yield
water use efficiency
increase in income
Increase in profit from wheat production
Open source / open access
The technology enhances crop yields, ensuring food security and profitability for farmers. By minimizing soil disruption and conserving moisture, it reduces water and fertilizer needs, while also preventing erosion and chemical runoff, promoting environmental sustainability. Lower input costs and increased resilience to climate variability further benefit farmers economically and environmentally.
To assess the cost implications for your business, consider that the three-year average total production cost for wheat-chickpea rotation under Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Morocco is USD 740 per hectare compared to USD 838 per hectare for conventional tillage systems.
For profit estimation, note that in Mexico, profits from wheat production increase by USD 923 per hectare under CA management instead of intensive tillage.
Access to this technology is likely available through agricultural extension services, research institutions, local farming communities, and organizations dedicated to sustainable agriculture and rural development.
Moreover, explore opportunities to integrate this technology with complementary approaches, such as Heat and Drought Tolerant Wheat Varieties and pest-resistant wheat varieties.
Positive or neutral impact
Positive or neutral impact
Country | Tested | Adopted |
---|---|---|
Burkina Faso | Tested | Adopted |
Ethiopia | Tested | Adopted |
Kenya | Tested | Adopted |
Niger | Tested | Adopted |
Nigeria | Tested | Adopted |
South Sudan | Tested | Adopted |
Sudan | Tested | Adopted |
Zambia | Tested | Adopted |
Zimbabwe | Tested | Adopted |
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.
AEZ | Subtropic - warm | Subtropic - cool | Tropic - warm | Tropic - cool |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arid | ||||
Semiarid | ||||
Subhumid | – | – | – | – |
Humid | – | – | – | – |
Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.
Last updated on 30 April 2024