A recent study shows the slow adoption of conservation agriculture practices in sub-Saharan Africa, despite their multiple benefits for smallholder farmers. In Zimbabwe, it is estimated that no more than 2.5% of cropland is cultivated under conservation agriculture principles.
One of the constraints is the lack of appropriate machinery and tools that reduce drudgery. “Addressing a wide set of complementary practices, from nutrient and weed management and judicious choice of crop varieties to labor demand, is key to making conservation agriculture profitable and feasible for a greater number of farmers,” said Christian Thierfelder, Principal Scientist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).