Adoption of Conservation Agriculture

In order to facilitate the change in production system towards conservation agriculture, it is important to understand why farmers think that soil tillage is such an important part of their system.

Soil is tilled in order to break-up the soil after harvest of the previous crop, to eliminate weeds and to prepare the seedbed for the next crop. Farmers perceive it as being important and besides that they feel comfortable with the technology, they know how to manage the technology and they know that tillage activities render good crop yields. 

To start with conservation agriculture requires:

• A change in crop management system.
• Technology (a machine or tool) that can manage the crop residues or cover crops.
• Consideration of the soil as a biological and self-sustaining productive system.
• Adoption of a new way of thinking as far as weed management, crop production and livestock / cropping interactions are concerned.

How does a farmer start conservation agriculture?

• Start with composure and concentrate on achievable objectives.
• In order to gain experience, start on a small part of the farm (say 10%).
• Initiate in an area where there is enough cover and use equipment designed to do the job (Machinery, tools and equipment).
• In the case of herbicide use, take time to learn to identify and use herbicides correctly. This includes understanding the calibration of the herbicide applicator.