Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 10.6
Mulched CA maize field in Malawi.
output, and access to credit and assured market. None of these factors are known
before the cropping season, making profit maximization inappropriate as the sole
farming objective.
10.3 CONCLUSION
CA is not a quick fix to the problem of low food production and environmental deg-
radation in Africa. The effect of CA is variable depending on the socioeconomic and
ecological conditions. This chapter shows that the tillage component of CA in Africa
is practiced in three main forms: basin tillage, ripping, and zero tillage. The most con-
sistent yield increase has been obtained with basins. Zero tillage and mulching have
also been found to increase yields; however, the effect is more variable. The positive
effect of zero tillage and basins increases with time. Despite the high yields and prof-
itability of basin tillage, farmers take up this tillage system to a limited degree due to
the drudgery associated with this tillage system. Mulching is practiced to a limited
degree in most CA systems in Africa; however, Malawi is an exception as the grazing
pressure from livestock is less. Direct sowing and mulch as practiced in Malawi gives
less initial yield benefits than planting basins, but the advantage of this system is lower
labor demand than the tillage system with planting basins and CT system.
It appears that farmers practice both CA and CT. This may reduce risks as CA may
give a benefit in dry years and CT can be beneficial in years of high rainfall. Practicing
both CA and CT can also lead to a better distribution of labor use. CT has higher labor
in relation to land preparation, while CA has higher labor use in weeding if herbicides
are not used. CA can also be found to give an earlier harvest because the farmers are
less dependent on the availability of traction power. Practicing both CA and CT can
therefore be considered as a livelihood diversification and a risk-aversion strategy.
However, although there might not be yield benefits related to CA, it can still be
interesting for the farmers to practice CA because of the reduction in labor use in
relation to tillage. Changing the tillage system alone is not likely to bring about a
