All about conservation agriculture
There is no single solution to ending world hunger. However, growing evidence from researchers and farmers everywhere suggests that a method of farming called conservation agriculture can play a part in helping eradicate world hunger.
Three principles
There are three main principles of conservation agriculture. These are:
- Practising minimal soil disturbance
- Protecting the soil by covering it
- Crop rotation
The first principle encourages farmers to plant seeds with the minimum of soil disturbance by using simple tools. This has the added benefit of reducing the energy required to prepare a field. The second principle encourages farmers to keep the soil covered throughout the year. This is done by leaving crop residues on the field or by planting a green cover crop. This keeps the soil cool and moist and retains the soil’s optimum natural structure. The third principle, crop rotation, is the basis of good farming practice everywhere, but one which has often been neglected.
Agricultural revolution
When it comes to world hunger, it can be easy to overlook the role of agriculture. But its possibilities are endless. It is creating a revolution in agriculture, which means new and exciting opportunities are possible.
Diminishing world hunger
Concern started promoting conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe in 2004 as part of a food distribution and relief programme. The results have been impressive. In six years, the farmers we work with have gone from being beneficiaries of food aid to becoming the providers of food aid. Watch our video about conservation farming in Zimbabwe.
The success of conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe has inspired other countries to promote it. With the help of a new grant from Accenture, we hope to have similar success in Malawi and Zambia.
Comments
Hi Paul, Just coming across this now, but thank you for posting this piece on the benefits of adopting conservation agriculture for smallholder farmers. We're happy to see Concern's work, and encourage you in your efforts. Also, take a look at Cornell's CA website, which serves as a database for research articles, as well as a rich list of websites, information on equipment, etc: http://conservationagriculture.mannlib.cornell.edu/ Keep up the good work! Devon @ Cornell Conservation Agriculture
this is a laudable project and i want concern to extend such to Countries like Nigeria where poverty is has thrown many youth into sucide bombers. This has turn the hiredito poor Northen Nigeria into ghost cities with many dying of lack of food and care. It will be a great opportunity for Concern World to extend its care to Nigera especially now. We work with some of this poor people especially women and children but it will go a long way if we can partner with Cocern World Wide.
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