Conservation agriculture: A climate-smart approach to achieve zero hunger

Abstract

Soil erosion resulting from soil tillage during the traditional crop cultivation process has forced us to look for alternatives and to reverse the process of soil degradation. The structural degradation of the soils due to heavy tillage with machineries results in the formation of crusts and compaction and leads to soil erosion. With the continuation of this process for a long term leads a reduction of soil organic matter also. Soil organic matter, a crucial element for the stabilization of soil structure, also provides nutrients to crop. Therefore, most soils degrade under prolonged intensive arable agriculture. Hence, to achieve sustainable and profitable agriculture conservation agriculture (CA) plays a key role. With three basic principles, viz., minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop rotations CA aims at improved livelihoods of farmers especially most urgently required by smallholder farmers, those facing acute labour shortages. CA is not a new system to introduce; truly speaking it is a product of the collective efforts of a number of previous agricultural movements which includes no-till agriculture, agro-forestry, green manures/cover crops, direct planting/seeding, integrated pest management, and conservation tillage mainly. It holds tremendous potential for all sizes of farms and agro-ecological systems. It is mainly aimed at reducing the effort and cost of farming in a way that protects and improves agricultural soils.