Compendium of deliverables of the conservation agriculture course 2011

Abstract

This book is the result of the hard work of 11 CIMMYT trainees who work on sustainable practices in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, China, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, and Bangladesh, and participated in the 2011 visiting scientist program “Conservation agriculture: Laying the groundwork for sustainable and productive cropping systems”. Over 5 weeks the scientists received an intense training program that combined mentoring and problem solving approaches. They actively participated in the ongoing conservation agriculture-based cropping systems management activities of the CIMMYT Mexico based Conservation Agriculture Program, at the experimental stations located near Mexico City at El Batán and Toluca, and in nearby farmers’ fields. Emphasis was given to conservation agriculture and resource conserving technologies, including conventional and reduced till permanent bed planting for both irrigated and rainfed conditions, and using alternative crop residue management strategies. Crops studied included wheat, maize, barley and dry beans. Strong focus was given to the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. Breeders provided a better understanding of the nature of crop management by genotype interactions. Similarly, plant pathologists were involved in order to better understand disease interactions with the new tillage and crop residue management practices and an economist shed light on the complex system interactions and market chain developments related to conservation agriculture. These are just some of the numerous contributions we received from several CIMMYT scientists. Upon completion of the program, the participants presented their plans to initiate activities in their home countries. This included carrying out further research on what was learnt and the extension of the new technologies to farmers. They developed the necessary skills for trial management and plant and soil monitoring as influenced by management practices.