Conservation Agriculture - Achieving Impact in Africa

RecommendationforfutureResearch,DevelopmentandExtensionactivities

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Conservation Agriculture – Achieving Impact in Africa July 8-9 2013 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


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Recommendation for future Research, Development and Extension activities

The Event: Conservation Agriculture (CA) has revolutionised crop production in Australia and the Americas.

Despite its success, adoption of CA has been minimal across Africa.

International experts met in Addis Ababa on the 8th and 9th July 2013 and provided a critical analysis

of CA practices and opportunities in Africa. The participants at the event included experts and grass-

roots practitioners from 10 African nations and Australia. Strategies to improve adoption of CA in

African agro-ecological zones were discussed and recommendations for future priorities are

summarised in this document.

The purpose of this document is to inform leading international and national government and non-

government organisations throughout Africa on the actions required to foster practical adoption of

sustainable land management and crop production systems for improved food security across Africa.

The working group identified three major areas of intervention needed:

A. Socio-economic and gender issues

B. Technological requirements

C. Bio-physical aspects

Major recommendation arising from the event: A multi-country applied research and extension activity should be initiated to identify:

1. Where Conservation Agriculture is most likely to be highly successful across the African

continent;

2. How and where policy instruments can be used to increase the adoption of sustainable

agricultural practises;

3. Adaptation and modification opportunities of Conservation Agriculture principles in different

biophysical and socio-economic environments.


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Executive Summary: Conservation Agriculture (CA) has revolutionised crop production in Australia and the Americas.

Despite its success, adoption of CA has been minimal across Africa.

International experts met in Addis Ababa on the 8th and 9th July 2013 and provided a critical analysis

of CA practices and opportunities in Africa. The participants at the event included experts and grass-

roots practitioners from 10 African nations and Australia. Strategies to improve adoption of CA in

African agro-ecological zones were discussed and recommendations for future priorities are

summarised in this document.

The purpose of this document is to inform leading international and national government and non-

government organisations throughout Africa on the actions required to foster practical adoption of

sustainable land management and crop production systems for improved food security across Africa.

Major current and emerging activities are needed for:


A main challenge to CA adoption is overcoming short-term poverty and resource constraints so that

poor farmers can afford to adopt sustainable land management and crop production systems.

Diversification to more profitable cash crops and overcoming the current inequitable distribution of

income along the value chain were considered important steps to alleviate poverty and encourage

farmers to engage in a more cash-based rather than subsistence driven economy. This would also

include identifying and developing subsidiary income options in the case where conservation

agricultural practises lead to more spare time due to labour savings. This can be addressed through

policy development and some research, but would largely be driven by effective extension services as

well as improved access to credit on equitable interest rates.

The impact of practise change related to CA implementation and its effect on gender equality is closely

linked to a shift in field labour requirements. The impact on gender is currently not well understood and

requires research and extension activities as well as policy development.

Overall, policy intervention is seen as a key factor for addressing socioeconomic and gender issues.

Better and smarter policies are needed, for example to ensure quality control of seed and herbicides as

well as fertilisers. Research is needed to evaluate policies in other countries related to agricultural

inputs and how well they have worked. This should be used to formulate local policy.


Crop-livestock interactions remain a major impediment for CA adoption in Africa. Overcoming the

competition for crop residues will primarily require extension services as much is already known from

past research regarding multipurpose trees and shrubs, live fences and sustainable stocking rates.

However, current recommendations about how much crop residue is needed for successful adoption of


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CA (i.e. 30% ground cover) are inadequate. Applied research is needed to estimate how much and

what type of residue is needed, where and in what cropping systems.

An emerging problem already encountered in Australia and the Americas, but only occasionally

observed in Africa, is herbicide resistance. Extension will play an important role as proper use of

herbicide is required to minimise development of resistance, though ultimately this will not overcome

the problem. Research is needed to assess alternative systems for weed control. Due to the current

dependence of CA on herbicides, herbicide resistance is a major threat.

Availability of tools for mechanisation is largely hampered by lack of policy. Trade or tax barriers need

to be changed so that equipment becomes available at a minimal cost to small holder farmers. This will

also require the strengthening of the public and private sectors to support development of local

manufacture and equipment repair.


The important biophysical responses to CA largely relate to changes in soil properties and their effects

on yield. In some agro ecological zones, soils will respond positively very quickly to reduced tillage

(e.g. Vertisols) but the potential yield gap on hard-setting soils may be too severe and/or long lasting for

farmers to persistently adopt CA. It is critical that minimum tillage is promoted whilst acknowledging

differences in yield response to tillage on different soils. Promotion of CA in suitable regions is

important, as promotion of CA in unfavourable environments will strongly counteract CA adoption

across Africa. Research is needed to delineate agro-ecological regions where CA has the most

potential.

Internationally there is increasing interest on the impact of CA, biochar and organic farming practises

on soil quality. Build-up of organic carbon is no doubt possible in temperate regions, but it is unclear if

this also applies to tropical, subhumid or arid African environments. Benefits of biochar as a soil

amendments are likely to depend not only on application rate, but also on type of biochar used which

can range from charcoal to charred plant material. No reliable data is available that assesses quality of

biochar. Promotion of farming practises that link the principles of organic and conventional agronomic

practise are likely to lead to improved overall production and sustainability. Due to the worldwide push

towards organic systems, it is of utmost importance to asses crop nutrient demands on a regional scale

to understand problems associated with resource relocation where soil improvement of one field may

be to the detriment of an adjacent field.

Signed on behalf of the participants:

Dr Gunnar Kirchhof, 6 September 2013 [email protected]


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These recommendations are supported by all contributors:

Mr Abdelkader Salhi, Algeria - Commissary of Agriculture Development for Saharan Regions (CDARS);

Dr Gunnar Kirchhof, Australia – The University of Queensland - Think Soils; Dr Ben Mullen, Australia

– UniQuest Pty Ltd representative; Dr Fentahun Mengistu, Ethiopia - Amhara Regional Agriculture

Research Institute (ARARI Director General); Dr. Yigzaw Dessalegn, Ethiopia - Amhara Regional

Agriculture Research Institute (ARARI – Deputy Director General); Mr Bayou Bunkura Allito, Ethiopia -

Hawassa University; Mr Abebe Getu Asfaw, Ethiopia - Sirinka Agricultural Research Center; Mr

Gebrelibanos Gebremariam Gebresilassie, Ethiopia - Tigray Agricultural Research Institute; Dr

Tolessa Debele, Ethiopia - Director, Soil and Water Research at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural

Research (EIAR); Dr Adugna Wakjira, Ethiopia - Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Institute of

Agricultural Research (EIAR); Dr Birru Yitaferu, Ethiopia - Amhara Regional Agriculture Research

Institute (ARARI); Dr Azage Tegegne, Ethiopia - Alumni Ambassador, International Livestock

Research Institute (ILRI); Ms Tsegereda Nigatu, Ethiopia - Uni of Qld Alumni; Mrs Kidist Hilemicael,

Ethiopia - Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR); Mr Huudu Abu, Ghana - Ministry Of Food

And Agriculture; Mr Peter Kuria, Kenya - African Conservation Tillage Network (ACT); Dr Barrack

Okoba, Kenya - Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute (KARI); Mr Samba Barry, Mali - Regional

Directorate Of Agriculture Koulikoro; Dr Ricardo Maria, Mozambique - Instituto de Investigação Agrária

de Moçambique; Prof Joshua Ogunwole, Nigeria - Ahmadu Bello University; Mr Atta Atta, Sudan -

Ministry Of Agriculture and Irrigation; Ms Sawsan Awad, Sudan - Ministry Of Agriculture and Irrigation;

Ms Nawal Ebrahim Babiker, Sudan - Ministry Of Agriculture and Irrigation; Ms Aisha Elemam, Sudan -

Ministry Of Agriculture and Irrigation; Ms Hala Elmadani, Sudan - Ministry Of Agriculture and Irrigation;

Mr Mojib Bahri, Tunisia - Agence De Vulgarisation Et De Formation Agricole; Dr Onesimus Semalulu,

Uganda - National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO); Ms Federica Nshemereirwe, Uganda -

Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Mr Chisha Sikazwe, Zambia - Ministry Of

Agriculture and Livestock; Tesfa Bogale, Ethiopia - National Coordinator, Integrated Soil Fertility and

Crop Management (EIAR); Dr Dagnachew Beyene, Ethiopia - Director, Extension Directorate, Ministry

of Agriculture; Mr Solomon Jemal, Ethiopia - Melkassa Research Center (EIAR); Mr Amare Mengistie,

Ethiopia – FAO


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Problem Identification Solution Research needed

Extension needed

Policy intervention needed

i. Socio-economic

Social instability from low productivity, reducing farm incomes and food insecurity leading to poverty

Market value chains are inefficient and do not deliver a decent income to farmers

Inputs are expensive, particularly for remote communities

Poor profitability from some CA systems, particularly in early stages of adoption and for some rotation crops

Technology can reduce social stability when mechanisation puts small-scale farmers out of work

Inadequate access to social services such as health, education, water and sanitation, energy and communication

Insufficient presentation of North Africa countries

1. Profitable farming systems, affordable inputs , staple and improved income, market access, sustainable livelihoods and credit provision

2. Diversification options that are profitable – extension packages needed to promote profitable rotation crops

3. Equitable distribution of income to farmers and along the value chain – improvements to market infrastructure

4. Establishment of production and marketing cooperatives to lower input costs and achieve greater returns from marketing through collective marketing

5. Identify rural-based income earning opportunities for farmers with spare time

ii. Gender

Inequitable workloads between men and women

Few options or lack of motivation or cultural mindset for profitable use of spare time for men and women created through CA adoption

1. Better balance of gender workloads in production and marketing that can be derived from CA

2. Use of herbicides and mulching in CA is being done by men – freeing up time for women, see above


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Extension needed


3. CA reduces workloads and difficulty of work for both genders. Women benefit from greater reduction in workload than men – requires further research at national and local levels to quantify benefits, see above

iii. Policy

Policy measures are needed that encourage adoption of CA practices – these should include an exit strategy

1. Legislation to limit harm to environment from poor farming practices through clever policies

2. Subsidies to input supplies to sell fertilizers, herbicides, equipment at affordable prices

3. Study how incentive schemes operate in Malawi and Zambia

4. Reduced import tax for agricultural machinery and inputs

5. Subsidies need to be linked to extension efforts

6. Extension efforts could be provided by input suppliers, with linkages to government services to build their technical capacity

7. Make inputs accessible throughout each country – cooperatives may be useful

8. Policies to improve services in rural areas


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Extension needed


i. Residue management and livestock interactions in CA

Residue used for livestock feed, fuel, burnt and for construction

Pest development such as stock borer and rats/mice

Low crop productivity leading to reduced biomass and poverty

Conventional attitude of having a clean tilled field

Level of fertilizer application in conventional Agriculture as well as CA systems

Crop-livestock nutrient recycling broken (manure used for fuel)


1. Partial retention of crop residue (How partial?....to be solved by researchers)

2. Alternative forage crop like legume, relay crop

3. Proper animal stocking rates some

4. Live fencing by multi-purpose tree species to restrict animal grazing

5. By-laws formulation and enforcement

6. Crop – livestock system integration some

7. Use of appropriate pesticides, pest resistant crop genotypes and crop rotation

8. To enhance crop productivity , application of recommended agronomic practices

9. Soil fertility management in CA

10. Awareness creation not to burn residue supported by By-laws


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Extension needed


ii. Weed, pest and disease management

Lack of knowledge for weed control options

No or limited knowledge about herbicide use

Availability and cost of herbicide

Poor quality of herbicide including material beyond expiry date

Herbicide resistance – shift to new weeds

Inadequate knowledge of cover crops for weed management


1. Knowledge sensitization of appropriate Integrated Weed Management options

2. Training on herbicide calibration and application to farmers, selling agents and extension officers

3. Safe handling and use of herbicide

4. Appropriate rate of herbicide application some

5. Assessment of herbicide resistance

6. Monitoring the quality of herbicide used in case of herbicide resistance

7. Rotation of herbicide

8. Availability of herbicide and application equipment at grass root level (small towns) at prices small farmers can afford

9. Awareness creation and research on appropriate cover crops technology for different farming systems

iii. Small holder CA tools and input

Age old hand tools and animal drawn equipment (level of mechanization)

Availability and affordability of CA implements

1. Importation and adaptation of improved small scale CA implements (Brazil, Italy…..)

2. Multiplication of adapted implements


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Extension needed


(particularly planters)

Lack of local multiplication for imported proven prototypes

Lack of adequate demonstrations

Inadequate CA implement knowledge (planters)

Inadequate supply of main and cover crop seed

Poor quality seed - poor germination

High cost of seed


3. Training on calibration and use of CA implements

4. Organizing the farmers into union/cooperatives to buy improved CA implements

5. Policy, credit and incentive support to facilitate acquisition of CA implements

6. Seed quality control

7. Strengthen community seed production and improve storage conditions

8. Support certified seed producing companies

9. Strengthen Private Public Partnerships

10. Improve input distribution system


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Extension needed


i. Crop and soil responses

Erratic rainfall distribution and in-season dry spells

High runoff and increased soil erosion

Low crop productivity per unit area resulting in low income for farmers

Lack of increased, stable crop yield due to soil due to soil fertility decline and low nutrient and water holding capacity, weak structure and coarse textured, acidic and crusted soils

Frequent conflicts over grazing lands between farmers and pastoralists

Late planting on vertisols due to water logging and drainage issues

Low CA adoption rate due to fear of yield penalty

Uncertainties surrounding alternatives to substitute stover and previous crop biomass

CA impact on soil carbon

Promotion of organic farming


1. Identification and promotion of appropriate water harvesting and soil water conservation that complement each other

some

2. Identification and promotion of soil erosion control measures to check

some

3. Promote intercropping and crop diversification to utilise residual moisture for increased farm productivity

some

4. Promote integrated nutrient management practices that build up organic matter will need to be promoted

some

5. Develop policy and attitudinal changes relating free-ranging livestock

6. Well managed community grazing lands and drinking places be identified for stock, and research on sound community-based management for sustainable production of grazing lands be encouraged

7. Increase cropping intensity with inclusion of crop as fodder for livestock

8. Promotion of CA for improved soil quality & stable yield


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Extension needed


i. Crop and soil responses

9. Appropriate management practices for Vertisols to facilitate early planting

10. Identify and promote cover-crops and residue management for the sustainable amelioration of crusted and coarse textured soils

some

11. Determine duration for transition to CA for yields to stabilize

12. Development and promotion of incentives for CA farmers to attract others and increase adoption rate

13. Assessment of soil organic stratification build-up under CA systems

14. Efficiency of biochar (charcoal vs. charred plant material) on soil quality

15. Crop nutrient requirements from organic and inorganic sources


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Documents

Conservation Agriculture - Achieving Impact in Africa