Conservation Agriculture Research Articles

Effect of Climate Change on Crop Yield in Nigeria

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of climate change on crop yield in Nigeria. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Climate change in Nigeria has caused declining crop yields due to rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and floods. This trend adversely affects staple crops like maize and rice, despite adaptation efforts through resilient crop varieties and better agricultural practices. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Environmental determinism, vulnerability theory & resilience theory may be used to anchor future studies on effect of climate change on crop yield in Nigeria. Encourage the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and integrated crop-livestock systems, that enhance resilience to climate change while improving productivity and sustainability. Develop policies that support the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices, incentivize the use of climate-smart technologies, and facilitate access to climate information and advisory services for farmers.

Impacts of conservation agriculture on crop yield and soil carbon sequestration: a meta-analysis in the Indian subcontinent.

In the quest of achieving sustainable crop productivity, improved soil health, and increased carbon (C) sequestration in the soil, conservation agriculture (CA) is increasingly being promoted and adopted in the Indian subcontinent. However, because some researchers from different regions of the world have reported reduced crop yield under CA relative to agriculture based on conventional tillage (CT), a meta-analysis has been conducted based on published research from India to evaluate the effects of CA on the yield of crops, accumulation of soil organic C as an index of soil health, and C sequestration in the soil in different regions and soil textural groups in the country. The meta-analysis is based on 544 paired observations under CA and CT from 35 publications from India was carried out using Meta Win 2.1 software. The results showed an overall significant (p < 0.05) reduction of 1.15% crop yield under CA compared to CT. Yearwise data showed a reduction of yields under CA from 2009 to 2016, but an increase from 2017 to 2020. Yield reduction was observed in the eastern, north-eastern, and southern regions of India but in western, northern, and north-western regions of the country, an increase was observed under CA rather than CT. Sandy loam and clayey soils exhibited higher crop yield under CA than under CT. Compared to CT, soil organic C content and soil C sequestration under CA increased by 8.9% and 7.3%, respectively. Also, in all the regions and soil textural groups both soil organic C accumulation and soil C sequestration were higher under CA than under CT. Factors such as rainfall, soil depth, available nitrogen (N), and total N significantly influenced the extent of yield increase/decrease and soil organic C accumulation under CA. Overall, results of the meta-analysis suggest that the promotion of CA in India will have to be location-specific taking into consideration the crops, soil attributes, and climatic conditions.

Misunderstood with No Desire to Be Understood: Socio-Cultural Dimension of Farming and Conservation Agriculture in Zimbabwe

Misunderstood with No Desire to Be Understood: Socio-Cultural Dimension of Farming and Conservation Agriculture in Zimbabwe

Identifying Credit Accessibility Mechanisms for Conservation Agriculture Farmers in Cambodia

As the expected cost of conservation agriculture (CA) inputs becomes an issue for farmers, financial institutions (FIs) play an essential role in promoting CA, a set of agricultural management practices with multiple positive effects. This research aimed to determine influencing factors, to rank challenges, and identify mechanisms for farmers to access agricultural credit for adoption of CA management practices in Cambodia. It was administered by conducting a survey of 242 randomly selected households for face-to-face interviews and conducting key informant interviews from purposive samples of 28 participants in Battambang and Preah Vihear provinces. The results indicated that influencing factors, including the family, adult labor and total farm size, had a positive relationship with farmers’ accessibility to agricultural credit, whereas age was negative. However, education year, farm size for main crops, on-farm income and farm experience were not significantly associated. High interest rates were the significant first-order challenge ranked, followed by document process complication, limited agricultural credit information, limited collateral security and a few other challenges. Support and improved process mechanisms to enhance credit accessibility are required to engage with multiple stakeholders, including farmers, FIs, non-government organizations (NGOs) and government officers. There has been a reduction in agricultural credit interest rates and incentives for importing CA inputs by the government, while provision of information support for agribusiness plans by NGOs which have implemented development project activities were considered as the main support mechanism. An improved process mechanism at the farmers’ level needs to include access to credit with low interest rates and a straightforward documentation process, whereas the FI level requires a business plan for lending decisions. It is evident that high lending rates hinder access to agricultural credit and the improvement of support and improved process mechanisms are necessary to better promote CA practices among farmers in Cambodia.

Modern Approaches to Sustainable Agriculture

The global population is increasing at an alarming rate, presenting a formidable challenge in meeting the escalating demand for food. This concern has garnered the attention of agrarian scientists and policymakers worldwide. The present population's rapid utilization of natural resources raises apprehensions about compromising the entitlement of future generations to access nutritious food and clean air. The multifaceted causes of this challenge can be delineated, with a prominent factor identified as the deficient or suboptimal implementation of innovative approaches and practices for sustainable agriculture. These contemporary strategies encompass climate-smart agriculture (CSA), precision farming, sustainable intensification, biodynamic agriculture, regenerative agriculture, organic farming, agroecology, integrated nutrient management (INM), integrated pest management, conservation agriculture, aquaponics, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics. It discusses the potential of these approaches to enhance resource efficiency, optimize yield, minimize environmental impact, and address challenges related to food security and climate change resilience. Empirical evidence supports the assertion that the adoption of these approaches and practices serves as a safeguard for agricultural sustainability.

Conservation agriculture practices in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)-basedcropping systems for enhanced productivity and profitability

Conservation agriculture practices in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)-basedcropping systems for enhanced productivity and profitability

Impact of Conservation Agriculture on Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration and Enzyme Activity Under Rice–Wheat Cropping System in a Vertisol

Impact of Conservation Agriculture on Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration and Enzyme Activity Under Rice–Wheat Cropping System in a Vertisol

AgEvidence: a dataset to explore agro-ecological effects of conservation agriculture

Conservation agriculture (CA) is a set of principles thought to be able to enhance crop productivity while minimizing impacts on the environment. The evidence base for CA can be challenging to synthesize because it encompasses many different practices and social and agroecological outcomes. To facilitate synthesis of CA evidence we have created a dataset organizing 218 response variables from five common categories of CA: cover crops, tillage management, pest management, nutrient management, and crop diversification. These data cover the Midwestern United States (U.S.) from 1980–2020. The dataset is also summarized and visualized on the AgEvidence website, which enables users to interactively explore, filter, and download data. We hope this dataset will help a wide variety of stakeholders, including researchers, policy makers, advocacy groups, and growers access the evidence needed to make informed and impactful decisions about how to produce food with less negative environmental impact.

Do rotations and intercrops matter? Opportunities for intensification and diversification of maize-based cropping systems in Zambia

ContextRealizing the double-edged goals of food security and crop diversification require knowledge of crop yield response to different agricultural practices and the extent to which such response is context dependent. This is particularly important in Southern Africa where cropping systems are dominated by maize and smallholders use few external inputs. ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the performance of cropping systems with different levels of legume diversification and intensification on maize productivity across the main agroecological zones and farming systems of Zambia, and (2) to establish the minimum land required to reach maize self-sufficiency at household level with the different cropping systems tested. MethodsSix maize-based cropping systems, comprising maize monocropping, maize-legume rotations and intercrops under ‘conventional’ tillage and conservation agriculture, were evaluated across 40 farms in contrasting agro-ecological zones and farming systems of Zambia. A household survey was conducted in the same communities hosting the on-farm trials to quantify the share of households with enough maize cultivated area to benefit from the tested cropping systems. ResultsMaize yield measured in the on-farm trials ranged, on average, between 3.6 and 5.4 t ha−1, which was greater than mean maize yields reported by farmers not hosting on-farm trials during the same growing seasons and in the same sites. Our results showed a clear positive effect of legume rotation on maize yield in Eastern province only, where cropping systems including groundnut as rotation crop yielded between 1.0 and 2.0 t ha−1 more maize than other cropping systems. Pigeon pea intercrops and Gliricidia hedgerows, crop residue management, and tillage practice had no significant effect on maize yield in any of the provinces. Finally, nearly 35, 50, and 70% of surveyed farms in Northern, Eastern, and Southern province would have enough land to achieve the same level of maize production obtained on their farm with the yields, and associated area requirements, of the maize-legume rotations tested in the on-farm trials. ConclusionLegume rotations can increase maize productivity on land abundant farms in high potential maize production areas of Southern Africa, whereas legume intercrops have benefits at cropping systems level and should be targeted to land constrained farms. SignificanceThe study contributes to better understand the niche for diversified maize-based cropping systems with legume rotations and intercrops in Southern Africa, along with their impacts on maize productivity at the field level and their land requirements at the farm level.

Farm Carbon Footprint Measurement Frameworks Based on the Digitization and Environmental Sustainability Paradigm

Abstract The use of digital technology in agriculture, such as sensors, satellites, and artificial intelligence, for developing sustainable agriculture and controlling the impacts of climate change, has been enhanced under the European Green Deal. Given the environmental exigencies, the agricultural sector must adapt to new technologies that ensure the sustainable development of the whole agri-food sector. This paper emphasizes the importance of measuring carbon footprints in agriculture as a tool for further improving the sustainability of the sector. Specifically, the research addresses the importance of sustainable technologies and practices, including agriculture, circular economy, and conservation agriculture, which play an important role in reducing carbon emissions from the agricultural sector. Thus, in the framework of the European Green Deal and digitalization, a bibliographic analysis was carried out using the Web of Science database to review the scientific interest on carbon footprint generated by farms. The aim of the paper is to tackle the significance given by the scientific community on the carbon footprint of farms in order to enhance the development of a comprehensive set of measures that can incorporate the sector’s social and environmental responsibility, and ensure further the right path towards a sustainable future without affecting the profitability of the small farmers.

Integrating Technology and Agriculture with Advanced Machinery

Abstract: Agricultural technologies are rapidly evolving towards a new paradigm – Integrating Technology. Within this paradigm, digitalization, automation and artificial intelligence play a major role in crop production, including weeding and pest control. This evolution presents both challenges and opportunities, such as leapfrogging from manual and animal-driven technologies to automated and mechanized equipment in developing countries and closing the digital divide. Traditional agricultural mechanization, characterized by the use of tractors and engine power, will be matched and even surpassed by automated equipment and robotics and the precision they can provide in farm operations. Conservation agriculture (CA) is an approach that involves crop diversification, permanent soil cover and minimal soil disturbance (e.g. limited tillage). CA increases soil structure and soil organic matter, promotes rich microbial diversity, retains water and nutrients, and better manages pests and diseases, making agricultural soils more productive and resilient to changes in climate. However, it requires specialized equipment – for example, for direct drilling of crop seed into the soil at the right depth and sowing density. Agricultural robotics can support these environmentally sustainable practices, by allowing spot weeding and precision management of nutrients, pests, diseases and weeds through mechanical removal or spot application of chemicals. Agricultural robots will also be able to substitute arduous labour, especially when there is limited availability, thus increasing social sustainability. The development of Integrating Technology will create new opportunities that can attract youth and entrepreneurs into the sector, tackling some of the causes for rural–urban migration and contributing to the economic component of sustainability.

Farmers' biodiversity knowledge improves natural enemy conservation in agricultural ecosystems

ContextIn the face of dual challenges of sustainable food production and biodiversity conservation, the knowledge gaps of farmers about biodiversity, pests, and their natural enemies can become a crucial barrier to adopting sustainable land management practices. ObjectiveThe study aimed to assess farmers' knowledge and understanding of crop pest and natural enemy diversity and their impacts, and whether the adoption of Climate-Smart or Conservation Agriculture (CSA here onwards) was associated with this knowledge. MethodsWe conducted questionnaire-based interviews and showed biodiversity images, including crop pests and beneficial insects, to understand farmers' knowledge of biodiversity on their farms. A comparison was drawn between farmers practising CSA and non-CSA farmers to understand the role of CSA in enhancing biodiversity knowledge. Results and conclusionsFarmers facing greater yield losses were aware of pests, but they were less knowledgeable about their natural enemies, and they used fewer conservation management practices. CSA farmers, however, showed more biodiversity knowledge, especially of natural enemies, and they employed a wider range of CS management practices. Farmers’ age, experience, education, and training were positively correlated with biodiversity knowledge, leading to better natural enemy conservation and pest management practices. SignificanceThe findings underscore the need for biodiversity-focused capacity building in sustainable agricultural programs, targeting less knowledgeable farming groups. It emphasises the crucial role of farmers' knowledge in developing sustainable and biodiversity-friendly food production systems.Africa, East Usambara Mountains, Food security, Biodiversity conservation, Invertebrates, Crop pests, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Farmer education.

Exploring effects of climate-smart agriculture innovations on women smallholders’ livelihoods in Ethiopia

AbstractStudies do not often provide evidence as to how innovations improve women smallholders’ livelihoods in male-headed households by analyzing women farmers in their own rights which is vital to develop and implement future gender responsive and transformative agricultural innovations. This study investigates if Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) – specifically conservation agriculture (CA) and small-scale irrigation schemes (SSIS) – improve women smallholders’ livelihoods. A concurrent mixed method was applied, and data was collected using survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). Descriptive and t- statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and thematic and narrative analysis methods to analyze qualitative data. Findings demonstrate that gender norms and intersectional identities and experiences of women together with the absence of gender equity and equality based structural works limit improvement in women’s livelihoods. While the use of CA did not change both men and women farmers livelihoods, SSIS improved men users’ financial and physical capitals. Hence, future CSA innovations should first identify the root causes of contextual gender inequalities and CSA innovations should be implemented based on women smallholders needs, experiences and realities. Building women smallholders’ livelihood capitals through off-farm income-generating activities and broadening the operational scale of CSA innovations for addressing strategic gender needs are desired. Explicitly, there is a need to move to a gender transformative approach (GTA) when implementing CSA innovations as GTA challenges and transforms gender norms and intersectional problems including unequal gendered access to livelihood capitals and decision-making power, unequal gender role distributions and gendered representations and implementation processes in economic policies.

Farmer Perspectives on the Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability of Environmental Conservation Agriculture (ECA) in Namobuddha Municipality, Kavre, Nepal

Farmer Perspectives on the Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability of Environmental Conservation Agriculture (ECA) in Namobuddha Municipality, Kavre, Nepal

Impact of Fertilizer and Mulch on Growth, Yield and Quality of Carrot in Arecanut Cropping System Under Conservation Agriculture Practices

This study aims to comprehensively assess the influence of conservation agriculture techniques, encompassing reduced tillage, cover cropping (live mulch) and nutrient levels on a range of growth parameters and the ultimate yield of crop. As per the principles of conservation agriculture i.e., soil was disturbed minimally, berseem mulch was incorporated in the experiment and carrot was raised under arecanut plantation during rabi and it was succeeded by mint crop in pre-kharif season. Experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with seven treatments of different nutrient doses and mulch replicated thrice. Field experiments were conducted across two growing seasons i.e., 2019-20 and 2020-21 during Rabi (Winter) at Balindi research farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur. Precise measurements and meticulous analyses were conducted on key parameters; Vegetative growth i.e., plant height and number of leaves, yield attributing parameters like root length, diameter, weight and total yield of crop. TSS and beta carotene was also estimated. These parameters unequivocally indicate that conservation agriculture practices exert a substantial influence on both the growth and yield. Among various nutrient levels, higher dose of fertilizer (T4 - 120:90:120 NPK kg ha-1) with berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) as a cover crop in the interspaces showed maximum vegetative growth i.e., plant height and number of leaves plant-1 at all growth stages (30, 60 and 90 DAS) while decreasing trend was observed in yield parameters with higher levels of nutrient doses, medium level of fertilizer dose (T5 - 90:60:90 kg ha-1 + berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) recorded highest root length, diameter, weight and projected yield of 18.5cm, 3.58 cm, 118.37 g plant-1 and 26.63 t ha-1 respectively. These findings underscore the considerable potential of conservation agriculture practices as a sustainable approach to optimize carrot crop production. This research contributes valuable scientific insights that hold significant implications for agricultural stakeholders, including farmers and practitioners, seeking to fine-tune carrot cultivation methodologies while concurrently fostering soil health and environmental sustainability.

Modeling maize growth and nitrogen dynamics using CERES-Maize (DSSAT) under diverse nitrogen management options in a conservation agriculture-based maize-wheat system

Agricultural field experiments are costly and time-consuming, and often struggling to capture spatial and temporal variability. Mechanistic crop growth models offer a solution to understand intricate crop-soil-weather system, aiding farm-level management decisions throughout the growing season. The objective of this study was to calibrate and the Crop Environment Resource Synthesis CERES-Maize (DSSAT v 4.8) model to simulate crop growth, yield, and nitrogen dynamics in a long-term conservation agriculture (CA) based maize system. The model was also used to investigate the relationship between, temperature, nitrate and ammoniacal concentration in soil, and nitrogen uptake by the crop. Additionally, the study explored the impact of contrasting tillage practices and fertilizer nitrogen management options on maize yields. Using field data from 2019 and 2020, the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model was calibrated for plant growth stages, leaf area index-LAI, biomass, and yield. Data from 2021 were used to evaluate the model's performance. The treatments consisted of four nitrogen management options, viz., N0 (without nitrogen), N150 (150 kg N/ha through urea), GS (Green seeker-based urea application) and USG (urea super granules @150kg N/ha) in two contrasting tillage systems, i.e., CA-based zero tillage-ZT and conventional tillage-CT. The model accurately simulated maize cultivar’s anthesis and physiological maturity, with observed value falling within 5% of the model’s predictions range. LAI predictions by the model aligned well with measured values (RMSE 0.57 and nRMSE 10.33%), with a 14.6% prediction error at 60 days. The simulated grain yields generally matched with measured values (with prediction error ranging from 0 to 3%), except for plots without nitrogen application, where the model overestimated yields by 9–16%. The study also demonstrated the model's ability to accurately capture soil nitrate–N levels (RMSE 12.63 kg/ha and nRMSE 12.84%). The study concludes that the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model accurately assessed the impacts of tillage and nitrogen management practices on maize crop’s growth, yield, and soil nitrogen dynamics. By providing reliable simulations during the growing season, this modelling approach can facilitate better planning and more efficient resource management. Future research should focus on expanding the model's capabilities and improving its predictions further.

Introducing and Evaluation of Conservation Agriculture in Dry Land of Borana, Oromia, Southern Ethiopia

The adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices could help smallholder farmers in Ethiopia enhance food security and appropriately manage climate change impacts. Conservation agricultural practice is intended to conserve, improve and make more efficient use of natural resources. However, despite these potential benefits, CSA is only practiced in some areas of Ethiopia and has not been sufficiently adopted by smallholder farmers. Therefore, this experiment was intended to improve the production and productivity of maize through different moisture conservation practices and to determine and recommend the best moisture conservation practices for agro-pastoralists in Yabello District, Borana Zone. The field experiment was conducted at Qobo, Qadale and Colksa Kebeles of Yabello districts for two consecutive years, from 2019 to 2020, the main cropping seasons. The experiments had four treatments (Runoff diversion, Furrow, Runoff diversion plus Furrow and Control) laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) of three replications. The analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference among treatments in days to maturity, cob diameter, cob length, hundred seed weight and grain yield in all cropping seasons and locations. The highest grain yield was obtained from furrow with diversion structure treatment (5.83, 5.59, 4.2 t/ha), followed by diversion structure (5.51, 4.84, 3.9 t/ha) at Qadale, Colkasa and Qobo Kebeles, respectively. The lowest grain yield was recorded for the control (farmers practice) treatment (3.56, 3.05 and 3.36 ton/ha) at Qadale, Colkasa and Qobo Kebeles, respectively. In all sites, moisture conservation treatments (furrow plus diversion, diversion and furrow) have yield advantages of 2.27 t/ha (40.68%), 2.54 t/ha (45.44%), 0.84 t/ha (20%), 1.95 t/ha (35.39%), 1.79 t/ha (36.98%), 0.54 t/ha (13.84%) and 1.88 t/ha (34.55%), 2.02 t/ha (39.84%) and 0.36 t/ha (9.43%) more than farmer’s practices, respectively. Therefore, moisture conservation practices are recommended for optimum production of maize in moisture stress areas of Yabello District, Borana Zone.

Spatial diffusion of innovations: a spatial analysis of agricultural conservation behaviors in New York State

Spatial diffusion of innovations: a spatial analysis of agricultural conservation behaviors in New York State

Comparative effects of legume‐based intercropping systems involving pigeon pea and cowpea under deep‐bed and conventional tillage systems in Malawi

AbstractLeguminous‐based intercropping, combined with conservation agriculture, is a promising approach to improve soil fertility, crop yields, and sustainable land use for smallholder farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa, including Malawi. This study aimed to assess the effects of incorporating legume‐based intercropping systems involving pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) into the deep bed farming (DBF) system promoted by Tiyeni in northern Malawi. The study used a split plot design with cropping systems (CS) as the main plots and tillage systems (TS) as the sub‐plots. All treatments were replicated three times. The study encompassed two cropping seasons, where CS included legume‐based treatments, sole cropped maize (Zea mays) without fertilizer (MZ) and sole cropped maize with 92 kg top dressing N fertilizer per hectare (MZ + 92), while TS included DBF and conventional tillage (CT). The study found that all plots with leguminous crops on both DBF and CT showed higher levels of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−) and phosphorus (P) in the soil, but DBF had significantly higher levels over 2 years. Intercropping systems showed higher land productivity (land equivalent ratio &gt; 1) than sole cropping in both years, indicating that legume‐based cropping can improve land use efficiency and yields. It can be noted from this study that intercropping systems based on cereals and legumes, implemented in DBF, has the potential to sustain agricultural intensification in sub‐Saharan African countries where access to chemical fertilizers is limited among smallholder farmers.

Impacts of conservation agriculture on soil C and N stocks and organic matter fractions: comparing commercial producer fields with a long-term small-plot experiment in Brown Chernozems of Saskatchewan

Conservation agriculture (CA) is increasingly promoted to build soil organic matter (SOM) based on findings from predominantly small-plot long-term agroecosystem experiments (LTAEs), with minimal on-farm data. Using commercial producer fields ( n = 20) in the Brown Chernozemic soil zones of Saskatchewan, Canada, which were sampled before (1996) and after (2018) adopting direct-seeding and continuous cropping (1997), we examined changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) stocks, along with C and N stocks in particulate (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM), and compared them to an LTAE in the same soil zone. After 21 years, SOC and STN stocks (0–30 cm depth) increased by 13% and 21%, respectively, in commercial producer fields, and were more pronounced in finer- than coarser-textured soils. Conversely, there were no significant changes (0–30 cm depth) after 18 years (1998–2016) with CA (continuous wheat and pulse-wheat under no-tillage (PW-NT)) in the LTAE, except that STN stock for PW-NT decreased by 7.7%. The estimated rate of change to 30 cm depth was similar between the commercial fields and LTAE for SOC (0.28 and 0.16 Mg C ha−1 year−1, respectively), but not STN (0.04 and −0.03 Mg N ha−1 year−1, respectively). Changes were more evident in the MAOM than POM fraction in both cases. Although the impact of CA may be similar, as observed for SOC, actual on-farm changes will depend on site-specific factors, and specific CA practice. Therefore, on-farm monitoring studies are needed for more accurate assessments of SOM changes and C sequestration potentials.