Conservation agriculture: Farming for the future

Abstract

Water and agriculture Traditionally, a farmland is a neat block of upturned soil, divided into clean rows devoid of any vegetation, ready to be sowed with seeds. Though pleasing to behold, the consequences have not always been as pretty. “According to research, we are losing about three tons of topsoil per hectare each year per ton of maize that we produce, ” says Dr Johann Straus from the Research and Technology Development Services of the Western Cape’s Department of Agriculture. A specialist in sustainable cropping systems and conservation agriculture, Dr Strauss is one of a growing group of researchers and farmers calling for more sustainable farming methods. Zero tillage conservation agriculture “Conservation agriculture is an alternative way of doing; it entails breaking away from the old way of breaking down earth to plough, ” explains Dr Strauss. He adds that if he has to sum it up, he would describe it as a sustainable farming method. Yet, perhaps more importantly if conservation agriculture is to become successful: “It is a mind shift.

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