This is a type of agriculture that is done by covering the ground using crop residues, or by planting crops that cover the ground, especially legumes such as beans, sorghum and pulses, while paying particular attention to not disturbing the land.
Also, conservation agriculture focuses on the rotation of crops with different species, such as legumes (beans, pulses) that help the land to be of good quality and resistant to diseases.
Principles of conservation agriculture
Conservation Agriculture has three important principles that help improve food production and maintain healthy soil. It is an alternative agriculture that prevents slashing and burning, which by doing so reduces the fertility in the soil and contributes to destroying forests. Conservation agriculture focuses on:
- Not disturbing the land
- Cover the ground
- Planting mixed crops
Not disturbing the soil/land
Undisturbed fields maintain compost, protect the natural structure of the soil and maintain soil health. This improves soil fertility and productivity.
- The soil is not compacted as it is when the land is weeded.
- Compost in the soil is maintained.
- The soil remains in the field and is not carried away by rainwater when it rains.
- Time is not wasted in weeding.
Cover the ground
Crop residues or cover crops take care of the soil in the field and conserve water and nutrients for crop growth.
- Covering the soil preserves moisture in the soil and reduces water loss due to heat during the hot sun.
- Crop residues rot and compost in the soil.
- The soil is protected and does not absorb water during rains.
- Weeds are rare because they cannot grow when the soil is covered.
Planting mixed crops
Mixed crops produce more yield and help if one crop yields poorly then the other crop will help compensate.
Planting leguminous crops before or together with the main crop is good for improving the health of the soil and also for obtaining leguminous crops with nutrients and good taste.
- Mixed crops increase productivity.
- Legumes (beans, legumes, peas) fertilize the soil with nitrogen.
• Controls weeds and crop diseases.
benefits of conservation agriculture ?
- Reduces soil erosion.
- It improves the soil by helping to retain nutrients from the decay of plant residues left in the field.
- It helps conserve water in the soil.
- Reduces production costs.
- It spends less time in the field and less labor
- Maintains the order of nutrients in the soil