Conservation Farming For The Semi Arid Tropics

This volume comprises invited reviews and research papers presented at a workshop entitled Conservation Tillage and Ley Farming Systems for the Semi-Arid Tropics, held in Katherine, Northern Territories, Australia, from 18 to 20 July 1995. The overview paper gives a scientist's view of dryland farming systems in the semi-arid tropics since 1980. The scientific papers address the major themes of the workshop: evaluation of tropical pastures; agronomy and sustainability of ley farming methods; animal production in the semi-arid tropics; weed control and herbicides; nutrient requirements and nitrogen inputs of legume leys; interaction of soil properties and tillage practices; and economic constraints to farming systems in the semi-arid tropics.

The problems of agriculture in the semi-arid regions; Assessing the possibilities for improving agriculture; Soil conservation; Water conservation; Water harvesting and use; Applications of water conservation.

Chapter 3 gives a review of the various tillage systems as they may be applied for soil and water conservation, based the soil characteristics and on different mechanization levels.

The book covers the spread of conservation agriculture (CA) to regions including Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Australia, Europe and emerging CA destinations in Asia and Africa. ÿTopics covered include the various components of CA, and how their individual and combined implementation influence productivity, soil health and environmental quality under diverse edaphic and climatic conditions. The book will be useful to teachers, researchers, extensionists, farmers, and students interested in environmental quality.

The objectives of this Bulletin are to collate up-to-date information on soil tillage requirements for soils in the tropics; to assess the impacts of different ways of tillage on soil, environment and crop productivity; and to outline criteria for developing environment-friendly and economically viable tillage techniques for sustainable use of soil and water resources

Bringing together case studies from Kenya, Benin, Cameroon and the Philippines, this volume provides a multidisciplinary overview of the economics of natural resource management in Tropical regions, at household and village level. By comparing a wide array of climatic and economic conditions, it examines the effect of location and access to the market - as well as the importance of national policies - have on soil and water conservation. The book not only analyzes the benefits of soil and water conservation based on econometric studies, but also assesses the costs involved. In doing so it challenges commonly held assumptions about poorer community's ability to finance such measures.