conservation agriculture

This blog describes a study that demonstrated how rice and wheat can be grown using 40 percent less water through an innovative combination of existing irrigation and cropping techniques. Rice and wheat grown using a sub-surface drip fertigation system, combined with conservation agriculture approaches used at least 40 percent less water than flood irrigation for the same amount of yields, and is still cost-effective for farmers. »

Growing demands for edible oil in Kenya offer opportunities to build stronger value chains, as well as to upscale the practice of conservation agriculture. This is what a group of eight commercial farmers realized when they invested in a canola oil processing factory and entered into a partnership with SNV and Unilever. This article summarizes »

This publication presents various agricultural approaches aimed at improving agricultural practices and contributing to a more sustainable world. The report starts with a short introduction of seven key approaches: agroecology, sustainable intensification, climate smart agriculture, landscape approaches, conservation agriculture, organic farming and inclusive green growth. »

This article explores the reasons why farmers chose not to implement conservation agriculture (CA). Despite more than three decades of promotion, CA has not been widely adopted by smallholder farmer in sub-Saharan Africa. »

This article assesses whether or not conservation agriculture (CA) is climate-smart. For a cropping system to be labelled “climate-smart” it has to deliver three benefits: a) adapt to the effects of climate and be of increased resilience; b) mitigate climate effects by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and c) sustainably increase productivity and income. »

This info note presents the main results and lessons learned from a programme focusing on productive farming systems based on the principles of conservation agriculture. Lessons learned show that direct seeding systems are the most economical way of planting, that a combination with other climate-smart technologies provides additional benefits, and that crop rotation can improve yields, nutrition and income. The reduction in planting and weeding time can benefit women and indirectly increase the household food basket and income. »