Jens B. AuneDepartment of International Environment and
Development Studies, NoragricNorwegian University of Life Sciences
Conservation agriculture in Zambia and Malawi - the opportunities and constraints to adoption
2
Noragric research on conservation agriculture (CA)
• Malawi (Chidedze Research Station)• Zambia (Conservaton Farming Unit, GART,
University of Zambia)• Ethiopia (Hawassa University)
Results presented today are based on our experiences in Zambia and Malawi
Planting basins (CFU method in Zambia)
• Planting basins 30 cm long , 15 cm wide and 15 cm deep • Chaka hoe
Photo: B.B. Umar
Planting basinsAdvantages• Increased yields (more
than 100%)• Good economic return• Works well under dry
conditions.• More efficient utilisation of
inputs
Disadvantages • High labour demand-
comparable to general hoe tillage
• Women find it hard to use the chaka hoe
• Waterlogging under flooding conditions
• Basins alone do not improve soil organic matter
Source: Umar et al. 2012
Ripping
Photo: B.B. Umar
Ripping
Advantage• Low labour demand• Lower traction
demand than ploughing
• Expanding faster in Zambia than planting basins
• Farmers that plough turn to ripping
Disadvantage• No yield benefit
compared to ploughing
• Farmers unwilling to use animals in the dry season
Source: Aune et al. 2012,Umar et al. 2012
Use of the planting stick (dibble stick) in Malawi-Low drudgery-Fast-Shallow tillage -Timely sowing-Mulching-Increased organic matter-N input needed
Photo: Amos Ngwira
Aune and Bationo2008
Traditional tillage
Planting basins
Ripping
CA with mulch and trees
Prod
uctiv
ity
Level of CA
Traditional tillage
Planting basins
Ripping
CA with mulch and trees
Prod
uctiv
ity
Level of CA
In 2009/2010 season in Zambia the area underCA was 26% of the total cultivated area . Land area under CA for adopters in Malawi was30% (Ngwira et al. 2014)
Partial adoption
Why partial adoption of CA
- It takes time to change traditions -Reduce risk. CA may work in dry years, traditional tillage in humid years-Spread of labour. CA reduces time for land preparation, but increases time for weeding. Opposite effect in traditional tillage-Capital requirements. CA is more capital demanding. Fertiliser and herbicides more in use in CA. New equipement is needed.-Tactical reasons in order to achieve continued support from CA projects
Traditional tillage
Planting basins
Ripping
CA with mulch and trees
Prod
uctiv
ity
Level of CA
Increased yieldsand labour saving
Labour and yield benefits of CA adoption
Tillage Yield kg/ha (GART experiment)
Yield Kg/ha (survey)
Hand hoe 4.0a 1.8a
Basins 6.3b 5.2b
Ripping 5.3b 2.3a
Ploughing 5.5b 3.8B
Source: Umar, B:B. Aune, J.B., Johnsen, F.H. and Lungu, O. 2011
Land preparation time
Tillage Person days/haBasins 24Hand hoeing 21Ripping 0.8Ploughing 3.8
Source: Umar, BB, Aune, JB, Johnsen FH, Lungu IO 2012
Traditional tillage
Planting basins
Ripping
CA with mulch and trees
Prod
uctiv
ity
Level of CA
Ecological benfits are connectedto recycling of organic matter
Ecological benefits of recycling of organic matter in CA
• 31% more organic matter in CA plots as compared to convention plots in Zambia (Thierfelder et al. 2013)
• 41% more water infiltrated in CA plots with mulch in Malawi (Ngwira et al. 2012)
• 10 times more earthworms per m2 in Malawi (Ngwira et al. 2012)
• 50% reduction weed infestion with mulch in Malawi (4 tons/ha) (Ngwira et al. 2014 in press)
• Less yield variability in CA as compared to traditional tillage (Ngwira et al. 2014 in press)
How to reap the ecological and economic benefits of CA
• Increase production and produce more mulch- CA without fertilisers in not sustainable.
• Recycle mulch and integrate trees• Integrate livestock in CA programs• - fodder production• - improved feeding• - grazing management
Conclusions
• Partial adoption observed• There can be good reasons for partial
adoption• The ecological benefits of CA are connected to
the recylcing of organic matter• CA should not be promoted under the low-
input label as CA without fertiliser is not beneficial.
