Research highlights on conservation agriculture by CIMMYT in Africa

1. Research Highlights on ConservationResearch Highlights on Conservation
Agriculture run by CIMMYT in AfricaAgriculture run by CIMMYT in Africa
By: Christian ThierfelderBy: Christian Thierfelder

2. The Challenges:The Challenges:

3. CIMMYT‘s work on CA in East and SouthernCIMMYT‘s work on CA in East and Southern
AfricaAfrica
● Ongoing research since 2004
● Major target countries, Ethiopia, Kenia,
Tanzania - Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia
and Zimbabwe
● Adaptive research on CA systems in 444
target communities
● Strategic research on 24 research locations
● Partnership approach with relevant NARES
and NGOs

4. •Basin planting
•Jab-planter
•AT Direct seeder
•Dibble stick
•Hoe-planter
•Magoye ripper

5. New Ideas for Africa....?New Ideas for Africa....?

6. We do agronomic research on…We do agronomic research on…
● Crop livestock interaction
 Residue level trials, relay cropping, alternative fodder strategies, intercropping trials
● Weed management
 Weed control strategy trials, effects of GMCC on weeds, herbicide trials
● CA systems trials
 Testing different CA systems under different agro-ecologies
● Variety trials under CA
 Performance of maize varieties under CA
● CA long-term trials
● Adaptation to climate change
 modelling of longer term impacts

7. Socio-economic research focusses on..Socio-economic research focusses on..
● Adoption monitoring
● Economic evaluation of CA systems
● Capturing labour in different CA systems
● Analyzing the effects of CA on Gender
● Analysis of innovation systems and value chains
● Defining farm typologies for better targeting of
technologies – recommendation domains!

8. Key results from 2013/2014……Key results from 2013/2014……

9. Longer term maize grain yields on farmersLonger term maize grain yields on farmers
fields in Zambia - Monzefields in Zambia - Monze
Harvest year
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Maizegrainyield(kgha
-1
)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
Conventional ploughing, maize (CPM)
Ripline seeding, maize (RIM)
Direct seeding, maize (DSM)
a
NS
b
b
NS
NS
a
a
a
a
ab
b
b
a
a
a
b
a
a
b
a

10. Longer term maize grain yields on farmersLonger term maize grain yields on farmers
fields in Malomwe, Mozambiquefields in Malomwe, Mozambique
Harvest year
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
a
ab
a
b
a
a
a a a
a
ab
b
a
a
a
b
a
a
b
a a
CA-Direct seeding
Conventional practice
CA-Basin planting

11. Longer term maize grain yields on farmersLonger term maize grain yields on farmers
fields in Malawi - Lemufields in Malawi - Lemu
Harvest year
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Maizegrainyield(kgha
-1
)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
Conventional control, maize (CPM)
CA, maize (CAM)
CA, maize/legume intercropping (CAML)
a
a
a a
b b
aa
b
b
a
a
b
a
a
b
a
a
b
a
a
a
a
b
b

12. Regional perspective – Southern Africa, 80%
positive maize yield responses to CA
Conventional tillage yield (kg ha-1
)
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
Conservationagriculturetreatmentyield(kgha-1
)
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
1:2line
1:1
line
Planting basins, Mozambique
Ripline seeding, Zambia
Manual direct seeding, Mozambique
Direct seeding, Zambia
Manual direct seeding, Malawi
Manual direct seeding, intercrop., Malawi
Ripline seeding, Zimbabwe
Direct seeding Zimbabwe

13. Thierfelder, C., Wall, P.C., 2009. Effects of conservation agriculture techniques on infiltration and soil water content in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Soil and
Tillage Research 105, 217-227.
Thierfelder, C., Wall, P.C., 2010. Investigating Conservation Agriculture (CA) Systems in Zambia and Zimbabwe to Mitigate Future Effects of Climate
Change. Journal of Crop Improvement 24, 113-121.
Thierfelder, C., Wall, P.C., 2010. Rotations in conservation agriculture systems of Zambia: Effects on soil quality and water relations. Experimental
Agriculture 46, 309-325.
Thierfelder, C., Wall, P.C., 2011. Reducing the Risk of Crop Failure for Smallholder Farmers in Africa through the Adoption of Conservation Agriculture, In:
Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Okeyo, J.M.M., Maina, F., Kihara, J.M. (Eds.), Innovations as Key to the Green Revolution in Africa. Springer, Netherlands, pp.
1269-1277.
Thierfelder, C., Wall, P.C., 2012. Effects of conservation agriculture on soil quality and productivity in contrasting agro-ecological environments of
Zimbabwe. Soil Use and Management 28, 209-220
Ngwira, A.R., Thierfelder, C., Lambert, D.M., 2012. Conservation agriculture systems for Malawian smallholder farmers: long-term effects on crop
productivity, profitability and soil quality. Ren. Agriculture and Food Systems FirstView, 1-14.
Thierfelder, C., Cheesman, S., Rusinamhodzi, L., 2012. A comparative analysis of conservation agriculture systems: Benefits and challenges of rotations
and intercropping in Zimbabwe. Field Crops Research 137, 237-250.
Johansen, C., Haque, M.E., Bell, R.W., Thierfelder, C., Esdaile, R.J., 2012. Conservation agriculture for small holder rainfed farming: Opportunities and
constraints of new mechanized seeding systems. Field Crops Research 132, 18-32.
Sims, B.G., Thierfelder, C., Kienzle, J., Friedrich, T., Kassam, A., 2012. Development of the conservation agriculture equipment industry in sub-Saharan
Africa. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 28, 813-823.
Ngwira, A.R., Thierfelder, C., Eash, N., Lambert, D.M., 2013. Risk and maize-based cropping systems for smallholder Malawi farmers using conservation
agriculture technologies. Experimental Agriculture FirstView, 1-21.
Thierfelder, C., Cheesman, S., Rusinamhodzi, L., 2013. Benefits and challenges of crop rotations in maize- based conservation agriculture (CA) cropping
systems of southern Africa. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 1-17.
Thierfelder, C., Mwila, M., Rusinamhodzi, L., 2013. Conservation agriculture in eastern and southern provinces of Zambia: Long-term effects on soil
quality and maize productivity. Soil and Tillage Research 126, 246-258. Thierfelder, C., Chisui, J.L., Gama, M., Cheesman, S., Jere, Z.D., Bunderson,
W.T., Ngwira, A.R., Eash, N.S., Rusinamhodzi, L., 2013. Maize-based conservation agriculture systems in Malawi: Long-term trends in productivity.
Field Crop Research 142, 47-57.
Thierfelder, C., Mombeyarara, T., Mango, N., Rusinamhodzi, L., 2013. Integration of conservation agriculture in smallholder farming systems of southern
Africa: identification of key entry points. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 1-14.
Wall, P.C., Thierfelder, C., Ngwira, A., Govaerts, B., Nyagumbo, I., Baudron, F., 2013. Conservation Agriculture in Eastern and Southern Africa. In: Jat,
R.A., Sahrawat, K.L., Kassam , A.H. (Eds.), Conservation Agriculture: Global Prospects and Challenges. CABI, Wallingford Oxfordshire OX10 8DE, UK.
Publications on CA benefits 2009-2014Publications on CA benefits 2009-2014

14. Publications on CA benefits 2009-2014Publications on CA benefits 2009-2014
Cairns, J.E., Hellin, J., Sonder, K., Araus, J.L., MacRobert, J.F., Thierfelder, C., Prasanna, B.M., 2013. Adapting maize production to climate change in sub-
Saharan Africa. Food Security, 1-16.
Muoni, T., Rusinamhodzi, L., Thierfelder, C., 2013. Weed control in conservation agriculture systems of Zimbabwe: identifying economical best strategies.
Crop protection 53, 23-28.
Mupangwa, W., Thierfelder, C., 2013. Intensification of conservation agriculture systems for increased livestock feed and maize production in Zimbabwe.
International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 1-15.
Thierfelder, C. Matemba-Mutasa, R., Rusinamhodzi, L.2014. Yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to conservation agriculture cropping system in
Southern Africa. Submitted to Soil and Tillage Research
Thierfelder, C. Mutenje, M., Mujeyi, M., Mupangwa W., 2014. Where is the limit? Lessons learned from long-term conservation agriculture research in
Zimuto Communal Area, Zimbabwe. Submitted to Food Security
Ngwira, A., Aune, J.B., Thierfelder, C., 2014. On-farm evaluation of the effects of principles and components of conservation agriculture on maize yield
and weed biomass in Malawi. Experimental Agriculture, 1-20.
Ngwira, A., Aune, J.B., Thierfelder, C., 2014. DSSAT modelling of conservation agriculture maize response to climate change in Malawi. Soil and Tillage
Research 143, 85-94.
Muoni, T., Rusinamhodzi, L., Mabasa, S., Rugare, J.T., Thierfelder, C., 2014. Does the Use of Atrazine in Maize Grown Under Conservation Agriculture
Adversely Affect Soybean Productivity in Maize-Soybean Rotation in Zimbabwe? Journal of Agricultural Science 6, 294-303.
Muoni, T., Rusinamhodzi, L., Mabasa, S., Rugare, J.T., Thierfelder, C., 2014. Effect of herbicide application on weed flora under conservation agriculture in
Zimbabwe. Accepted for publication in Crop protection.
Mhlanga B., Cheesman S., Maasdorp, B., Mupangwa W., Thierfelder, C. 2014. Contribution of cover crops to the productivity of maize-based conservation
agriculture systems in Zimbabwe. Final draft to International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability.
Mhlanga B., Cheesman S., Maasdorp, B., Muoni T., Mabasa S., Mangosho E. Mupangwa W., Thierfelder, C. 2014. Weed community responses to
rotations with cover crops in maize-based conservation agriculture systems of Zimbabwe. Final draft for Crop protection.
Thierfelder, C., Rusinamhodzi, L., Ngwira, A.R., Mupangwa, W., Nyagumbo, I., Kassie, G.T., Cairns, J.E., 2014. Conservation agriculture in Southern Africa:
advances in knowledge. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 1-21.
Thierfelder C., Rusinamhodzi L., Setimela, P., Eash, N., and Walker, F., 2014. Combining conservation agriculture and drought-tolerant open-pollinated
maize varieties to adapt against climate change in central Mozambique. Submitted to Regional Environmental Change
Mupangwa, W, Thierfelder C., Ngwira A. 2014. Fertilizer application in smallholder farming of southern Africa: finding the best strategy in mixed cereal-
legume conservation agriculture (CA) systems. Submitted to Nutrient Cycling in Agro-ecosystems.
Thierfelder, C 1
, Bunderson, WT2
and Mupangwa W. 2014. Lessons from long-term Conservation Agriculture Research in Southern Africa: Examples from
Malawi and Zimbabwe. Paper presented at the 1st
African Congress of Conservation Agriculture, Lusaka, Zambia
Thierfelder, C., Mupangwa, W., 2014. Identifying new Sustainable Intensification Pathways for Smallholder Farmers in Southern Africa, Paper presented at
the World Congress of Conservation Agriculture (WCCA6), Winnipeg, Canada.

16. Overcoming challenges to adoptionOvercoming challenges to adoption
 Challenges on crop residue
retention and crop/livestock
interaction
 Weed control
 Mindset of farmers and
extension officers…. and others?
 Adaptation to climate change

17.  Long-term
sustainability
(e.g. SOC)
 Short-term
productivity (e.g.
WUE)
 Animal traction
 Nutrient cycling
 Income generation
 Saving / Insurance
 Display of status
Feeding the soil vs. livestockFeeding the soil vs. livestock
Baudron et al., 2013

18. Residues vs nitrogen lock-up!Residues vs nitrogen lock-up!
UZ 2011/12
treatments
C
P,0
t/ha
C
A,0
t/ha
C
A,2
t/ha
C
A,4
t/ha
C
A,6
t/ha
C
A,8
t/ha
maizegrainyield[kg/ha]
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
0 N
30 N
90 N
PEAKS

19. • Understanding the requirements
of the soil and of the livestock
• Using biomass more efficiently
• Producing more biomass from
alternative sources
• Increasing the productivity of
livestock
• Providing incentives to reduce
livestock number
• Community agreements to reduce
free grazing
What can be done?What can be done?
Baudron et al., 2013

20. The Challenge of Weed ControlThe Challenge of Weed Control

21. Labour gains
when using
herbicides

22. 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13
Weeddensity(m
-2
)
0
200
400
600
manual
paraquat
glyphosate
atrazine
atrazine + glyphosate
atrazine + glyphosate + metalachlor
a
b
c c
bc
d
a
a
a
b
a
b
a
a
a
a a a
a a a
a aa
Decline in weed density over time, DTC,
Zimbabwe, 2009-2013
Muoni et al. 2014

23. Striga study 2012, Malawi – clear picture!
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Herbert
Lem
u
M
alula
M
atandika
Linga
M
vera
M
w
ansam
bo
Zidyana
C
hinguluw
e
m
ean
Communities
Strigacount(plha
-1
)
Conventional control
CA+maize
CA+maize/leg
Thierfelder et al. 2014

24. The mindset of farmers and extension
officers

25. Maizegrainyield(kgha-1
)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
i
hi
bcde
cdef
bcd
abc ab
a
def
Conventional tillage CA-Basin planting CA-Direct seeding
cdefcdef
cdef
ghi
efg efg
defg
fgh
efg defg
def def
Traditional variety, Matuba DT variety, ZM309
DT variety, ZM401
DT variety, ZM523
DT variety, ZM625
DT variety, Pan53
DT variety, Pristine601
Adaptation to Climate Change –Adaptation to Climate Change –
Integration of Climate-smart TechnologiesIntegration of Climate-smart Technologies

26. Current research gaps…….
 There is need to better understand
and explore adoption trends and
perception of farmers (donor
dependency vs real adoption)
 What are the implications of CA
adoption on gender?
 How can markets be better
integrated to make use of market
forces?
 The need to explore different
outscaling strategies

27.  How do we practice CA with other non-traditional crops?
 How can some of the remaining biophysical challenges be
overcome?
 Adaptation to climate change – what is the
mitigation/adaptation potential? (modelling LT effects)
 There is need to harmonize extension messages and
 Define recommendation dommains for a multitude of farming
systems

28. Thank you very much!