Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Another study in Zimbabwe found no difference in the infiltration rate between
plowing, ripping, and basins (Mupangwa et al. 2013).
10.2.4 A
doPtion
of
CA
True adoption of CA is difficult to assess because the introduction of CA has been
accompanied by the distribution of fertilizer, access to planting materials, and exten-
sion services. Most of the projects reported here are ongoing, and it is, for this rea-
son, difficult to assess what is true adoption and adoption that is contingent on having
access to certain inputs. True adoption can therefore best be studied after the com-
pletion of the project, or by determining if there are farmers adopting CA without
being involved in CA projects. However, the adoption rates during the project period
may still give an indication of true adoption, particularly if the new technologies are
used on a big share of the land.
Farmers have embraced CA to various degrees in Zambia. In a sample of 420
households in the CA project areas in Zambia, it was found that 71% had adopted
CA (Nyanga 2012). It is estimated that >100,000 farmers are using CA in Zambia.
However, this is a very reduced form of CA as only the principle of minimum/reduce
tillage is practiced while the farmers are using mulching and crop rotation to only
a limited degree. The type of CA practiced in Zambia is therefore more a form of
reduced tillage than CA (Aune et al. 2012). The farmers that adopt CA in Zambia
also typically practice CA on a minor part of the farm while the rest of the farm is
under traditional tillage methods. The average size of land under CA in Zambia for
420 farmers practicing CA (basins and ripping) was 0.78 ha, representing 40% of the
land under cropping for these farmers. The rest of the land is under plowing or hoe
tillage. Land under ripping has been expanding faster than land under basins. The
average size of land under basins is rarely >1 ha. The labor requirement of planting
basins is the main reason why planting basins are not expanding more despite the
very high return to labor. However, the reason why farmers keep some land under
basins is that the maize can be harvested earlier and a higher yield can be expected.
The basins here are therefore practiced as a food security strategy. The main reasons
for the farmers to practice ripping as compared with hoe tillage and plowing appears
to be the labor-saving effects. It is the poorest segments of the population that have
accepted CA in Zambia, as the CA farmers have less income and own fewer animals
and oxen (Aune et al. 2012). Farmers that have previously practiced plowing do not
change to basin tillage; they rather opt for ripping. This allows them to continue
using animal traction. Previous hoe farmers find it easier to change to basin tillage.
Adoption of CA is Zambia has also been met with resistance because CA is con-
trary to how farmers think CA should be practiced (Nyanga et al. 2011). Farmers
are used to prepare a clean seed bed and burn the crop residues for that purpose.
There is also prestige associated with plowing and cultivating large areas. Farmers
also do not accept using animal traction in the dry season because the animals are
not well fed during this season, and it is very difficult for the animals to pull tillage
equipment through dry soil. The Tonga people in southern Zambia are cattle owners,
making it more difficult to introduce basin tillage in this part of Zambia than in the
eastern region where hoe tillage is the traditional method for land tillage.
