Saving labor and animal draft power: impacts of crop management innovation packages in Ethiopia

Abstract

In 1990s Sasakawa Global 2000 introduced conservation agriculture practices in maize based systems of South Achefer District, in Amhara Region, North West Ethiopia. The specific technologies introduced were one-pass tillage for maize crop establishment, use of herbicides for weed control, and residue retention for soil fertility management. Though the last practice was not that adopted due to multi-purpose use of maize residue mainly for feed and firewood, the adoption of minimum tillage and herbicide use was considerable in the district. Thus, this study was interested in assessing the level of adoption of minimum tillage and herbicide use by smallholder farmers and evaluate the consequent impacts on maize productivity and level of draft power and labor saved in maize production due to adoption.