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Conservation agriculture
A manual for farmers and extension workers in Africa
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Conservation agriculture holds special promise for Africa, where
farming communities face the problems of low yields, impoverished soils, lack of
capital, and labour shortages brought on by the scourge of AIDS. It is a way to
improve the livelihoods of millions of people and achieve sustainable
agriculture over a wide area.
Conservation agriculture is not a technology, but an approach to
farming. It is based on three simple principles:
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Disturb the soil as little as possible,
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Keep the soil covered, and
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Mix and rotate crops.
Farmers can choose from many different technologies to do this.
By applying these
principles, they can improve their soil fertility and grow more food, using less
labour, and at lower cost.
This manual aims to help Africa's farmers and extension workers
understand the conservation agriculture approach and choose those technologies
that best suit their situation.
The manual is based on the skills and experience of 90 farmers,
extension personnel and scientists from 16 countries throughout Africa. It is
written in clear, easy-to-understand language, and is illustrated with numerous
clear line drawings.
Case studies throughout the book show how farmers in different
situations have put conservation agriculture into effect.
Contents
1 What is conservation agriculture?
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Why start using conservation agriculture?
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How conservation agriculture works in different types of
farms
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Different situations
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Conventional vs conservation
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Effects of conventional farming and conservation
agriculture
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History of conservation agriculture
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Conservation agriculture in Africa
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Challenges for conservation agriculture
2 Converting to conservation agriculture
3 Field preparation and planting
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Before starting conservation agriculture
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Planting basins
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Planting spots
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Ripping and planting
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Controlling weeds and the cover crop before planting
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Planting methods
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Using the right amount of seed and fertilizer
4 Keeping the soil healthy
5 Soil cover
6 Crops and cropping systems
7 Controlling weeds
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How to manage weeds
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Managing weeds with soil cover and crops
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Weeding by hand or with equipment
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Herbicides
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When and how to weed
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Challenges in managing weeds
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Using the right amount of herbicide
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Using herbicides correctly
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Using herbicides safely
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Care of sprayers
8 Conserving soil and water
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9 Livestock
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Feeding animals
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Sources of feed
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Protecting your fields
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Work animals
10 Harvesting, marketing and input supplies
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Harvesting
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Storage
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Processing and marketing
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Inputs
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Obtaining inputs
11 Should you adopt conservation agriculture?
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How can conservation agriculture benefit me?
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How does conservation agriculture benefit other people?
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How much yield does conservation agriculture produce?
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How much does conservation agriculture cost?
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Is conservation agriculture profitable?
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Is conservation agriculture worthwhile?
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How much work is conservation agriculture?
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When is the work needed?
12 Conservation agriculture and people
13 Encouraging adaptation and adoption
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Adapting conservation agriculture
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Ways to promote conservation agriculture
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Training
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Extension
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Demonstrations
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Farmer field schools
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Schools and churches
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Farmer champions
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Farmer-to-farmer extension
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Farmers’ organizations
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Other ways to share experiences
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Farming as a business
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Multiple stakeholder partnerships
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Small-scale entrepreneurs and private business
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Policy support
14 Resources
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Published 2005 by the International
Institute of Rural Reconstruction, Africa Regional Office, PO Box
66873, Nairobi, Kenya; www.iirr.org, and the
African Conservation Tillage Network, Harare.
ISBN: 9966-9705-9-2
 Available from
IIRR Africa
Available from
IIRR Philippines
Role of Paul Mundy: Writeshop manager, editing, desktop
publishing, overall
responsibility for production
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