Conservation agriculture is a farming system that has been scientifically studied and formally tested for more than 30 years in different parts of the world with visibly favorable results.

This system promotes the conservation of natural resources, biodiversity and labor. Among many of the benefits are increased soil water, reduced heat and drought stress, and increased soil health.

It has been adopted in different parts of the planet, as it can be applied in all types of soils, from those with a lot of clay, to sandy soils, in rainfed or irrigated areas, slopes or flat land.

What are the principles of conservation agriculture?

Conservation Agriculture is composed of three interrelated principles, namely:

Minimal soil movement or zero tillage
Crop diversification
Permanent soil cover

Minimal soil movement

The objective of this principle is to minimize soil disturbance. Farmers plant directly through live and dead organic residues from the previous crop, without plowing, burning or preparing the soil.

Benefits:

Reduces tillage time and costs
Nutrients remain intact in the soil
Prevents soil compaction and soil compaction and composting
Improves the physical quality of the soil

Specially designed machinery is now available to preserve the principles of conservation agriculture, cutting residues with minimal soil movement and using inputs efficiently, with precise dosing systems.

Crop diversification

With intercropping and rotation, i.e. the cultivation of two or more different seeds (corn-beans-sunflower or corn-oats), soil nutrients are adequately distributed and the production of organic residues is balanced between crops that leave a large amount of stubble and those that leave a smaller amount.

Through this principle of sustainable agriculture, benefits are obtained such as the reduction of pests (such as the budworm) and some diseases by interrupting their life cycles. It also facilitates weed control and reduces economic risks in the event of any eventuality affecting certain crops.

Permanent soil cover

Using stubble, which is the residue of the previous crop including cover crop residues, green manures or both, provides the soil with the following advantages

Soil protection
Reduction of weeds by reducing the surface and sunlight they need.
Avoids erosion due to rain and wind blow and splashing
Improves soil fertility so that a higher production can be obtained.
Regulates temperature and avoids water evaporation.
Increases soil organic matter and nutrients

By applying these three interrelated principles, crops are intensified in a sustainable way, with ecological, social and economic benefits. Conservation agriculture increases yields, reduces costs and, most importantly, makes water use more efficient.

The Aguas Firmes program of Grupo Modelo seeks to improve the conditions of the communities of Apan, Hidalgo and Calera, Zacatecas, bringing through its implementing partners, these and other sustainable solutions for the care of soils and aquifers.

Follow our blog and participate in this new culture of caring for our resources. Remember that a future with water is a future with life.

Sources: CIMMYT - https://www.cimmyt.org/es/noticias/que-es-la-agricultura-de-conservacion/

Principles of Conservation Agriculture