1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Book project: SLM in Practice - Guidelines and Best Practices for Sub-Saharan Africa (SLM in Practice)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Precision Conservation Agriculture combines aspects of conservation agriculture and precision application of fertilizer.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Precision Conservation Agriculture (PCA) is a combined technology that encompasses four basic principles: 1) minimum tillage – e.g. using planting basins which enhance the capture of water from the first rains and allow efficient application of limited nutrient resources with limited labor input; 2) the precision application of small doses of nitrogen-based fertilizer to achieve higher nutrient efficiency (from organic and/or inorganic sources); 3) combining improved fertility with improved seed for higher productivity; and 4) use of available residues to create a mulch cover that reduces evaporation losses and weed growth. Crop mixes are adapted to the local conditions and household resource constraints. Cereal/legume rotations are desirable. PCA spreads labor for land preparation over the dry seasons and encourages more timely planting, resulting in a reduction of peak labor loads at planting, higher productivity and incomes. Over four years these simple technologies have consistently increased average yields by 50 to 200% in more than 50,000 farm households. These strategies are promoted by ICRISAT, FAO and NGOs in Southern Africa focusing on low potential zones where most of the most resource-poor and vulnerable farm households exist.

Components of CF Planting Basins Package promoted in Zimbabwe:
1. Winter weeding: The first step in preparing a field using CF methods is to remove all weeds. This should be done soon after harvesting in May/June. Weeding is done using implements such as hand hoes and machetes that disturb the soil as little as possible. The importance of weeding before land preparation is to ensure that the plot is weed-free at basin preparation and also to prevent the dispersal of weed seeds.
2. Digging planting basins: Planting basins are holes dug in a weed-free field into which a crop is planted. The basins are prepared in the dry season from July to October. The recommended dimensions of the basin are 15×15×15 cm, spaced at either 75×60 cm for rainfalls of 650 to 900 mm and either 75x75 cm or 90×60 cm for Natural rainfalls of 400 to 650 mm. The basins enable the farmer to plant the crop after the first effective rains when the basins have captured rainwater and drained naturally. Seeds are placed in each basin at the appropriate seeding rate and covered with clod-free soil. The advantage of using basins is that they enhance the capture of water from the first rains of the wet season and enable precision application of both organic and inorganic fertilizer as it is applied directly into the pit and not broadcast.
3. Application of crop residues: Crop residues are applied on the soil surface in the dry season, soon after harvesting if available. Ideally the residues should provide at least 30% soil cover. The mulch buffers the soil against extreme temperatures (thereby reducing soil evaporation), cushions the soil against traffic, and suppresses weeds through shading and improves soil fertility.
4. Application of manure: Fertility amendments are applied soon after land preparation in the dry season. In CF, the application of both organic and inorganic fertilizers is recommended as they complement each other. Organic fertilizers such as manure and/or composts are applied at a rate of at least a handful per planting basin. More can be used in wetter areas.
5. Application of basal fertilizer: Inorganic basal fertilizer is also applied soon after land preparation before the onset of the rains. One level beer bottle cap is applied per planting basin and covered lightly with clod-free soil. This is equivalent to 80 kg of compound fertilizer per hectare. Application rates can be increased in wetter areas and may depend on crop types.
6. Application of topdressing: Nitrogen fertilizer is applied to cereal crops at the 5 to 6 leaf stage soon after the first weeding at a rate of one level beer bottle cap per basin. This is equivalent to 80 kg of ammonium nitrate fertilizer per hectare. Application is done on moist soils. Precision application ensures that the nutrients are available where they are needed. Application rates can be increased in wetter areas and may depend on crop types.
7. Timely weeding: In conventional tillage systems, farmers plough/cultivate repeatedly in order to suppress weeds. With reduced tillage, weeds can be a problem requiring more effort initially. One strategy is to weed in a timely manner (ie, when the weeds are still small) preventing the weeds from setting seed. Timely weeding in combination with mulch should eventually lead to effective weed control.
8. Crop rotation: Rotating crops is one of the key principles of CF. Cereal/legume rotations are desirable because the cereal benefits from nitrogen produced by the Rhizobium associated with the legume, and the legume benefits from the residues produced by the cereal. The advantages of crop rotation include improvement of soil fertility, controlling weeds, pests and diseases, and producing different types of outputs, which reduce the risk of total crop failure in cases of drought and disease outbreaks.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): soil fertility decline and reduced organic matter, soil erosion by water, sealing and crusting

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Secondary causes of degradation: soil management

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Vertical interval and spacing between structures / vegetative strips
Date: 1st November 2009
Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high (Change in attitudes)
Technical knowledge required for land users: high (Change in attitudes)

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	1.Layout of contours with the use of an A-frame before land preparation, place wooden pegs along the contours	Vegetative	during dry season

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Direct seeding /fertilizer (NPK) banding using no-till drill	Agronomic	Eearly November
2.	Direct seeding /fertilizer (NPK) banding using no-till drill	Agronomic	Eearly November
3.	Leave fields to fallow for 18 months, apply herbicide if needed	Agronomic	afther harvest
4.	Leave fields to fallow for 18 months, apply herbicide if needed	Agronomic	afther harvest

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	labour	ha	1.0	108.0	108.0
Equipment	hand hoes	ha	1.0	7.0	7.0
Fertilizers and biocides	fertilizer	ha	1.0	69.0	69.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					184.0

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• communal/ village

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	not known

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

50000 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
0.3 had under basins in 2008 – so about 15,000 ha across Zimbabwe
There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Over the last 4 years a steady trend in increase in area each household as under basins

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
PCA spreads labour for land preparation over the dry season and encourages more timely planting, resulting in a reduction of peak labour loads at planting, higher productivity and incomes
Over four years these simple technologies have consistently increased average yields by 50 to 200%, depending on rainfall regime, soil types and fertility, and market access

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Availability of residues to achieve the minimum 30% soil cover	Accept that in agro-pastoral systems where residues are at a premium demonstrate benefits of residues management – but allow households to decide
Access to fertilizer at cost effective prices	Input market development and identification of enabling government policies
Rotations and legumes poorly adopted	Allow households to become familiar with technology and meet subsistence food requirements before promoting rotations. Ensure availability of good quality seeds and markets to meet extra legume production

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Hove L, Twomlow S. 2008. Is conservation agriculture an option for vulnerable households in Southern Africa? Paper presented at the Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Land Management to Improve the Livelihood of People in Dry Areas Workshop, United

Available from where? Costs?

ICRISAT web site – www.icrisat.org or FAO

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mazvimavi K, Twomlow S, Belder P, Hove L. 2007. An Assessment of the Sustainable Uptake of CF in Zimbabwe. Global Theme on Agroecosystems Report No 39. ICRISAT, Bulawayo. 69pp.

Available from where? Costs?

ICRISAT – www.icrisat.org

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mazvimavi, K., Twomlow, S. Socioeconomic and institutional factors influencing adoption of conservation farming by vulnerable households in Zimbabwe. Agr. Syst. (2009), doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2009.02.002

Available from where? Costs?

Elsevier – Agricultural Systems

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Twomlow,S., Hove, L., Mupangwa, W., Masikati, P., Mashingaidze,N. 2009. Precision Conservation Agriculture For Vulnerable Farmers In Low-Potential Zones In Humphreys, E. and Bayot, R.S. (Editors). 2009. Increasing the productivity and sustainability of r

Available from where? Costs?

xxx

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Zimbabwe Conservation Agriculture Task Force, 2009. Farming for the future: A guide to conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe. ISBN 978-07974-3735-7

Available from where? Costs?

FAO Emergency Office Zimbabwe Michael.jenrich@fao.org