conservation agriculture -...

Conservation Agriculture

A basic user guide to promote sustainable agricultural land use and management among rural communities in Zambia



A basic user guide to promote sustainable

agricultural land use and management among

rural communities in Zambia

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ADMADE Administration Design for Management

ASP Agriculture Support Programme

AWF African Wildlife Foundation

CAC Camp Agricultural Committee

CAG Community Action Group

CASU Conservation Agriculture Scaling Up

CBNRM Community Based Natural Resources Management

CBNRMF Community Based Natural Resource Management Forum

CBOs Community Based Organizations

CFU Conservation Farming Unit

CJI Climate Justice Initiative

COMACO Community Markets for Conservation

CSEF2 Support to Civil Society Organisations in Environment and Natural Resource Management in

Zambia, Phase Two

ENRM Environmental and Natural Resource Management

FBOs Faith Based Organizations

FGD Focus Group Discussion

FMC Forestry Management Committees

FMCs Fisheries Management Committees

GMAs Game Management Areas

IGAs Income Generating Activities

JFM Joint Forest Management

MACO Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

NAPACC National Adaptation Program of Action on Climate Change

NEAP National Environmental Action Plan

NFP National Forestry Policy

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

PPCR Pilot Program for Climate Change Resilience

PSAf Panos Institute Southern Africa

REDD Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

RLC Radio Listening Club

SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

VDC Village Development Committees

VFMC Village Fisheries Management Committee

ZEMA Zambia Environmental Management Agency

ZNFU Zambia National Farmers Union

List of acronyms and abbreviations

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This booklet is meant to provide basic and easy to understand information for rural communities on Conservation Agriculture (CA) as one of the effective strategies in addressing the problem of degradation of agricultural lands, low yields and food insecurity. The booklet isa product of the Deepening Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) in Zambia Project supported by the Civil Society Environmental Fund, Phase Two (CSEF2) and implemented by Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf). The project sought to contribute to environmental sustainability in Zambia through strengthening community participation in environment and natural resources management (ENRM). PSAf conveys gratitude to the Government of Finland for supporting the Deepening CBNRM Project that funded the development of this booklet through the CSEF2. We also thank the Department of Agriculture, Kazungula District, for the expert input, institutions and individuals for the literature and other materials consulted in the development of the booklet. We are hopeful that this booklet will enrich the knowledge of citizens in CA and encourage them to adopt sustainable farming practices that assure good yields and food security. For more information and to request for copies, please contact: Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) Plot 9028 Buluwe Road, Woodlands P. O Box 39163 Lusaka, Zambia Tel: +260-978-778148/9 Fax: +260-211-261039 Email: [email protected] Website: www.panos.org.zm © Panos Institute Southern Africa, 2017

Acknowledgements

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Table of Contents

List of acronyms and abbreviations i

Acknowledgements ii

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 What is conservation agriculture 1

1.2 Context: The Land Degradation Challenge 1

1.2.1 What is land degradation? 1

1.2.2 Causes of land degradation 1

1.2.3 Impact of land degradation 2

1.2.4 Conservation agriculture as a solution 2

2.0. Principles of conservation agriculture 3

2.1 Minimum tillage 3

2.2 Soil cover 3

2.3 Mixing and Crop Rotation 3

3.0 Disadvantages of conventional farming practices 4

3.1 Burning of crop and plant residues 4

3.2 Ploughing 4

3.3 Ridging off contours 4

4.0 Benefits of conservation agriculture 5

4.1 Improved yields 5

4.2 Reduced crop production costs 5

4.3 Reduced shortages of labour and farm power 5

5.0 Success factors 5

5.1 Timely implementation 6

5.2 Precise applications 6

5.3 Efficiency in usage of Inputs 7

6.0 Challenges of Conservation agriculture 8

7.0 Planting guidelines 9

8.0 References or Sources of information 10

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1.1. What is Conservation Agriculture? Conservation Agriculture (CA) is part of sustainable farming systems that improve and maintain the fertility of agricultural lands. It is used to conserve, improve and ensure efficient use of natural resources, land and others that communities would otherwise would fall back on in case of low agricultural production. It is aimed at improving and sustaining agricultural production as it supports robust plant growth, enables farmers to attain good yields, profit margins and food security while conserving the environment. CA involves application of various farming practices that are fundamental to the improvement and sustenance of fertility of agricultural land and water retention and infiltration, as well as improved crop yields. Key among these practices are minimum tillage involving reduced soil disturbance through potholing and ripping, crop rotation and intercropping. 1.2. Context: The Land Degradation Challenge In Zambia, agriculture is the main source of livelihood and employment for the majority rural people. Government recognises this fact and has in this regard put in place policies and programmes like the National Agricultural Policy, National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP) and the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), all aimed at enhancing productivity and harnessing the contribution of the sector to national economic growth, food security and poverty reduction. These efforts have resulted in positive results such as increased crop yields in recent years. However, these achievements are being threatened and undermined by the problem of agricultural land degradation. Over the years Zambia has experienced high levels of soil degradation, resulting in a decline in soil productivity and crop production. This is attributable to overreliance on conventional farming methods which include deep tillage (ploughing), monocropping mostly of the maize as the staple crop, heavy use of chemical fertilisers, ridging and burning of crop residues. Climate change with its extreme weather patterns like droughts and floods has compounded the problem, leading to widespread crop failures and food insecurity. 1.2.1. What is land degradation? Land degradation can be defined simply as the reduction or loss of the biological composition or economic productivity of the various land ranges that include rain fed and irrigated croplands, pasture, forest and woodlands resulting from human socio-economic activities. In agriculture, land degradation refers to loss of capacity of agricultural soils to support plant or crop growth, therefore adversely affecting agricultural-based livelihoods. 1.2.2. Causes of land degradation Land degradation is fundamentally caused by economic, environmental and institutional factors, key among them are the following: Deforestation - The removal of trees and other vegetation for firewood, commercial logging or to clear

land for farming and settlements leaves land bare and exposes it to degrading agents like heat, run off water and wind.

Overgrazing – The practice of allowing farm animals to eat all the cover vegetation exposes the soil and results in plants not being able to regenerate themselves.

Poor land management – This involves use of unsustainable farming practices such as deep tillage and monocropping, and excessive use of chemical fertilizers.

Fires – Bush fires outside the recommended burning period of the year destroys vegetation that protects the soil from erosion.

Extension support services – Lack of or limited extension services affects farmer’s abilities to understand and take action to address the problem of land degradation.

1.0 Introduction

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1.2.3. Impact of land degradation Land degradation has an adverse impact on agronomic productivity, the environment, food security and people’s overall quality of life. Degraded land cannot support plant and crop growth, leading to increased hunger and poverty. This situation is made worse by droughts and unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change. Specifically, land degradation results in the following: Reduced ability of the soil to retain water. Reduced vegetation for livestock grazing. Decline in crop yields and as such increased food insecurity. General reduction of the ability for the community to adequately survive on agriculture. Unproductive rural economy with reduced contribution to national development. 1.2.4 Conservation Agriculture as a solution Conservation agriculture is one of the reliable and sustainable farming methods in addressing the problem of agricultural land degradation and falling crop yields. This is because of the following reasons, among others: Conservation agricultural practices have the ability to reduce and reverse soil degradation, and

sustain soil fertility. The method increases productivity and increases food security. It reduces and prevents land degradation and crop failure associated with the adverse effects of

climate change.

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The major principles in conservation agriculture are minimum tillage or soil disturbance, soil cover,and mixing and crop rotation. 2.1. Minimum tillage This practice implies soil is only disturbed where a seed or seeds are going to be planted, and fertilizer or manure applied. The common techniques are pot holing (digging of planting basins) and ripping of planting lines. Minimum tillage has numerous advantages over conventional farming practices, among them the following: Reduces destruction of the soil structure. Protects soil from erosion caused by wind and running water. Improves water infiltration. Increases organic matter in the soil. Reduces disturbance of organisms that live in the soil and contribute to sustaining soil fertility. Saves time, energy, and money because less land is tilled.

2.2. Soil Cover After harvest, the widespread practice in Zambia is to allow livestock, particularly cattle, goats and sheep to move into the fields and feed on the crop residues. The remaining residues after grazing are raked together and burnt or are burnt by wild fires. The idea behind burning of residues is mostly to clean the fields in readiness for tillage and planting. This is a bad practice because it results in soil degradation caused by exposure of land to direct heat, wind and run off rain water at the onset of the rain season. The recommended practice is to leave the residues in the fields, undisturbed and well-managed because they are useful in farming in the following ways: Reduces the effect of rain drops on soil and, therefore, reduces chances of soil erosion. Allows good seepage of rain water into the soil. Conserves moisture in the soil for the crops by reducing evaporation that would be caused by direct

sun heat. Suppresses the emergence and growth of weeds. Improves organic matter content and nutrients in the soil. Provides food to the beneficial organisms in the soil such as worms. Moderates temperature in the soil.

2.3. Mixing and Crop Rotation As opposed to monocropping in which year after year one kind of crop is grown on the same piece of land, farmers are advised to change crops sown on that land each year. This is called crop rotation. Alternatively, some crops like maize should be intercropped with leguminous crops like groundnuts and soy beans that replenish nitrogen in the soil for the benefit of the other crop. The advantages of this practice are: It improves and sustains soil fertility. Intercropping with legumes adds nitrogen to the soil, which acts as top-dressing fertilizer. Crops utilise the nutrients in the soil more effectively. There is good control of weeds, diseases and pests as their life cycles are interrupted. It mitigates the risk of total crop failure in cases of drought and disease outbreaks as not all crops are

likely to be negatively affected.

2.0. PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

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There are mainly three common conventional farming practices that destroy soils in Zambia. These are burn-ing of crop and plant residues, ploughing and contour ridging. 3.1. Burning of crop and plant residues This practice involves gathering of crop and plant residues after harvesting and burning them in preparation for planting of another crop. Residues should not be burnt but left in the field because they improve soil fer-tility in the following ways: Adds organic matter to the soil. Protects the soil from erosion, either by wind or water. Protects the soil from high temperatures from direct sun heat. Prevents capping of the soil, creating an impermeable layer that reduces the ability of the soil to absorb

water. This leads to surface waterlogging and increased risk of water run-off and erosion. Increases water infiltration into the soil as the residues are able to soak in the water.

3.2. Ploughing Ploughing using ox-drawn ploughs or mechanized implements like tractors is detrimental to the soil and sus-tainable farming because: Loosening soil in the entire field makes it vulnerable to soil erosion, particularly by runoff water. Exposes organic matter to degrading factors like air and the sun. Nutrients are also lost and plant growth is adversely affected. A lot of time is spent on ploughing. This delays planting, and thus reduces yields.

3.3. Ridging off contours This practice is common in some parts of the country, among them Eastern province. It involves splitting of ridges made during the previous farming season to create new ridges for the upcoming farming season. The new ridges are formed on the previous season’s furrows using a hoe. This practice results in the following: A hard sub soil between the new ridges become drains for run-off water from heavy rainfall. This causes

serious soil erosion. In some cases, this leads to formation of gullies. Hard hoe pans develop under the ridges, thereby affecting root penetration and plant growth. Rain water easily runs off, making the soil dry up quickly even under heavy rainfalls. The practice is time consuming, labour intensive and delays planting, resulting in reduced yields.

3.0. DISADVANTAGES OF CONVENTIONAL FARMING PRACTICES

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Conservation agriculture has many advantages over conventional farming methods, and the following are the benefits of using Conservation agriculture. 4.1. Improved yields. Conservation agriculture helps farmers to maximize yields because it helps them to prevent the formation of hardpans in the soil which affect water infiltration and root penetration as well as crop growth. 4.2. Reduced production cost. Due to reduced demand of labour in land preparation and fertilizer associated with conventional farming methods, CA helps farmers to cut costs while increasing their yields. 4.3. Reduced shortages of labour and farm power. Unlike conventional methods that demand a lot of labour, conservation agriculture allows vulnerable people to work a larger hectarage of crops with less work and this diminishes the challenge of limited farm power.

4.0. BENEFITS OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

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5.2. Precise applications

Particular attention should be paid to recommended applications or measurements in the various CA ac-tivities – land preparation, manure application, fertilizer application and planting. a) Land preparation - Farmers can either dig planting basins using a chaka hoe or rip the land with ox or

tractor drawn rippers.

When basins are used, a farmer should pay attention to the following recommended guidelines: Use a measured stick to mark out the rows at the spacing of 90 cm and these should be marked by

pegs. Use a planting line designed for the purpose to mark out the basin positions at 60cm apart. These

spots should be well marked by knots or bottle caps on the string. Use a hand hoe (Chaka) to prepare the basins of 20cms deep, 30cms long and the same width as the

blade of the hoe. The depth ensures that any hoe or plough pans in the soil are broken. The 30cms length of the basins allows the seeds of different crops to be spread along the basin so that when the plants emerge, there is no overcrowding. The hand can be used to determine the depth, and this depth should ensure that the hard pan that undermines root penetration is broken.

Basins should be prepared across the slope to ensure capture of rain water.

5.0. SUCCESS FACTORS

The following are factors for successful CA: 5.1. Timely implementation This implies undertaking all the CA activities in time, and the timeline is as follows:

Activity Period Notes

Land preparation. July to August This should be done well before the start of the rains, just after harvest.

Basal Fertilizer Applica-tion

September to October Apply the recommended quantities of basal dress-ing fertilizer (Compound D).

Manure Application September to October Either animal manure or compost can be used, and this can be applied together with Compound D fertilizer.

Planting November to December This should be done immediately after effective rainfall.

Top Dressing Applica-tion

January to February Apply the recommended quantities of top dress-ing fertilizer.

Weed Management From June at right inter-vals

Weed management should start in the dry season to ensure basins or rip lines are free of weeds at planting. It should be continuous not to allow the weed plants to seed.

Crop harvesting March to July After removing the cobs, the stalks should be cut at the base and spread between the rows.

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b). Manure application – When applying manure, a farmer should adhere to the following guidelines: One or two handfuls of animal or compost manure per basin. A handful of manure per 30 cm meter distance in rip lines. Cover the manure with fine soil. Large lumps should be avoided.

c). Planting – Seed sowing should be done correctly to avoid wasted effort in land preparation. The correct

planting depth for each type of seed should be the height of a matchbox. Before sowing, check the level of soil in each basin. The depth should be correct, height of a matchbox, or 5cms. In cases where rainfall may have caused the soil to sink, it is advisable to add more soil to have the right depth.

After covering seeds, the soil should be compacted lightly to ensure good contact between seed and soil for

quick absorption of water.

The key factors to consider in planting are number of seeds per basin or distance in rip lines, spacing, depth, quality of soil used to cover the seeds and the quality of seeds. Planting should be done in the same basins and same lines each season. This practice ensures that soil compaction, if any, by people’s feet, ox hooves or wheels of mechanized implements will happen between the crop lines. In addition, it leads to build up of residual fertility in the rows and the roots of each consecutive crop provide organic matter to the soil.

(See table in the annex for planting specifications for various crops under the planting basin system.)

5.3. Efficiency in usage of Inputs

The precise applications in CA imply efficient use of inputs which include time, manure, fertilizer, energy, time and implements. There is little wastage of these inputs in the following ways: Manure and fertilizer application is precise to the stations and this ensures that only crops benefit. There are huge savings on cost of inputs and higher yields are achieved. Reduced effort due to timely planting and weeding. Reduced labour cost as land preparation commences early and is spread over a period of time.

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There are several challenges that hinder adoption or use of CA by some farmers, and farmers need to overcome them in order to successfully implement CA. These challenges include the following: 6.1. Mindset and attitude Most farmers are deeply rooted in conventional farming methods and find it difficult to change to new sustainable methods like CA. They would rather continue ploughing and using other similar methods like burning of residues that negatively affect their agricultural lands, crop yields and food security. Use of conventional methods should be reduced or avoided. Instead, CA and other sustainable methods like agroforestry should be adopted. Sustainable farming methods ensure suitable livelihoods from agriculture, which should be treated as a business rather than an activity exclusively for feeding families. 6.2. Availability of crop residues Keeping the soil covered is important in conservation agriculture. But it can be difficult. Farmers have many uses for crop residues – fodder, fencing, roofing and fuel. Livestock keepers let their animals feed on the residues. 6.3. Free communal grazing The widespread practice is to allow animals to feed on the residues after harvesting. This leaves the soil open to erosion. It also contributes to soil compaction. It is important to keep animals out of the fields after harvesting so as to maintain soil cover. 6.4. Availability of inputs and implements In some instances, farmers face the challenge of accessing inputs like seeds of cover crops, herbicides and appropriate equipment to successfully engage in CA. Farmers should not be discouraged. The benefits of CA should overcome this challenge. The agricultural extension workers are always available to assist with information on where to access the required inputs and implements.

6.0. CHALLENGES OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

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Crop No. of seeds Planting Period Notes

Cotton 6 to 8 fuzzy seeds and 2 to 3 de-linted seeds.

Dry plant any time after 8th November or immedi-ately after heavy rains

This is the only crop where dry planting is recommended.

Before sowing the basin should be filled with soil to ground level. Plant a pinch of seeds at each end of the basin but should be visible.

Cotton is the only crop where thinning is rec-ommended and should be done. Thin out the plants to leave with four per basin.

Maize 4 seeds Plant immediately after first heavy rain that falls after 15th November

Sown along the basin and covered with 5cm of soil. Clods should be broken so that the soil makes good contact with the seeds.

Advisable not to plant before 15th Novem-ber even if heavy rain has fallen. It is too risky.

Sorghum 10 to 12 seeds Plant immediately after heavy rain between 1st and 15th December

Sown along the basin and covered with 2.5cm of soil.

Ground-nuts

8 to 10 seeds Plant after the first heavy rain that falls after 15th November

Sow along the basin and cover with 3cms of soil. The basins should be made a bit longer to about 40cms to avoid overcrowding.

Only ‘bunching type’ Groundnuts, such as Natal Common, MGV4, MGV5, Chipego and Makulu Red should be grown in basins. Spreading types, like Chalimbana, must be grown on box ridges to allow for easy har-vesting.

Green Gram

7 to 8 seeds From 1st to 15th Decem-ber

Plant along the basin and cover with 1 – 1.5cms of fine soil.

Millet A pinch of seeds From 1st to 15th Decem-ber

Plant at each end of the basin and covered with 1cm of fine soil. They should not be planted deep.

Soya beans

10 to 12 seeds

From 1st to 15th Decem-ber

Sow seeds along each basin and cover with 2cms of soil. Do not plant too few seeds as this will reduce the yield.

Cowpeas 7 to 8 seeds From 1st to 15th Decem-ber

Sow along each basin and cover with 2cms of soil.

Sunflow-er

2 to 3 seeds

From 1st to 15th Decem-ber

Plant at each end of the basin. The seeds should not be planted deeper than 2cms as planting them deeper than this affects plants’ emergence.

7.0. ANNEX: PLANTING GUIDELINES

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i. The Conservation Agriculture Manual for Implementation (Moyo, 2013)

ii. Land Degradation, Agriculture Productivity and Food Security (Hamdy& Aly, 2014)

iii. A Guide for Farmers Conversion from Ox Ploughing to Min-Till Ripping Using the Magoye Ripper (Conservation Farming Unit, 1996)

iv. Conservation Farming & Conservation Agriculture Handbook for HOE Farmer s in Agro-EcologicalRegions I &IIa - Flat Culture (CFU, 2007 Edition)

v. Technical Manual - Conservation Agriculture (SUSTAINET EA, 2010)

vi. The practice of Conventional and Conservation Agriculture in East and Southern Africa (CFU, 1996)

vii. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269672711_Reversing_Agro-Based_Land_Degradation_through_Conservation_Agriculture_Emerging_Experiences_from_Zambia's_Smallholder_Farming_Sector

8.0. References or Sources of information.

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