The three pillars that care for soils and protect them from erosion and depletion

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 its many benefits are increased soil water, reduced stress from heat and drought, and improved soil health.

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

What are the principles of conservation agriculture?

Conservation Agriculture is made up of three interrelated principles:

1. Minimum soil disturbance or zero tillage

2. Crop diversification

3. Permanent soil cover

Minimum soil disturbance

The aim of this principle is to reduce soil disturbance as much as possible.

Farmers sow directly through the living and dead organic residues of the previous crop, without plowing, burning, or preparing the soil.

Benefits:

• Reduces the time and costs of tillage

• Nutrients remain intact in the ground

• Prevents soil compaction and crusting

• Improves the physical quality of the soil

Today there is machinery designed specifically to uphold the principles of conservation agriculture, cutting through residues with minimum soil disturbance and using inputs efficiently, with precise dosing systems.

Crop diversification

With intercropping and rotation, that is, growing two or more different crops (maize-bean-sunflower or maize-oats), soil nutrients are properly distributed and the production of organic residues is balanced between crops that leave a large amount of residue and those that leave less.

Through this principle of sustainable agriculture, benefits are obtained such as the reduction of pests (like the fall armyworm) and some diseases by interrupting their life cycles. It also makes weed control easier and reduces economic risks in the event of something affecting certain crops.

Permanent soil cover

Using crop residue, which is what remains of the previous crop, including cover crops, green manures, or both, gives the soil the following advantages

• Soil protection

• Weed reduction, since it reduces the surface area and sunlight that weeds need

• Prevents erosion caused by the impact and splash of rain and by wind

• Improves soil fertility, so higher yields can be obtained

• Regulates temperature and prevents water evaporation

• Increases the soil's organic matter and nutrients

By applying these three interrelated principles, crops are intensified in a sustainable way, with benefits on every front: ecological, social, and economic. Conservation agriculture makes it possible to increase yields, reduce costs, and, most importantly, make water use more efficient.

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

Follow our blog and take part 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/

Tags: Conservation, Agriculture, Biodiversity