Increasing rainwater productivity with conservation tillage
Files
TR Number
Date
2003
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Harare, Zimbabwe: ACT (African Conservation Tillage Network)
Abstract
This brief discusses the importance of increasing rainwater productivity for small scale dryland farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ways to improve rainwater productivity include reducing surface run-off and evaporation, increasing infiltration and uptake by plants, and decreasing competition from weeds. However, smallholder farmers face significant social and economic barriers to adoption of conservation tillage, despite its high rate of success in preventing crop failure. To achieve optimal yields, it is necessary to incorporate soil fertility management with conservation tillage.
Description
Keywords
Dryland farming, Semiarid zones, Soil degradation, Arid zones, Small-scale farming, Rainfed agriculture, Conservation tillage, Adoption of innovations, Sub-Saharan Africa, Rainwater productivity, Farm/Enterprise Scale Field Scale
Citation
African Conservation Tillage Network Information Series No. 5