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COURSE NO :- AGRON- 505
COURSE TITLE:- CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE
TOPIC:- Conservation Agriculture - The Future of Agriculture
Submitted to :
Dr . S . Tirumala Reddy
Assistant Professor
Department of Agronomy
Submitted by :
Ch. Pavan
NAM/2024-02
M.Sc (Ag) 1st
Year
ACHARYA N G RANGAAGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, NAIRA
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 Green revolution has increased food grain production by four fold
since 1950-51 with adoption of HYVs, intensive input use, extensive
tillage.
 The intensive cultivation has lead to degradation of natural
resources such as soil, water, vegetation etc
INTRODUCTION
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A farming system that promotes
• Minimum soil disturbance (i.e. no-till farming)
• Maintenance of a permanent soil cover .
• Diversification of plant species.
• Enhances biodiversity and natural biological
processes above and below the ground surface
• Increased water and nutrient use efficiency
• Improved and sustained crop production (FAO).
What is Conservation agriculture (CA) ?
Definition
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 Globally, CA is being practiced on about 205 M ha.
 USA has been the pioneer country in adopting CA systems and
currently more than 37 million ha land is under such system.
 Countries where CA practices have now been widely adopted for many
years in Brazil (50 M ha), Argentina (32 M ha), Canada (28 M ha) and
Australia (25 M ha).
 France and Spain are the two countries where CA was being followed
in about 2.2 million ha of area under annual crops.
Conservation agriculture (CA) success over world
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 The total area under no-tillage/zero tillage in India it is about 3-4 M ha.
 Efforts to adapt and promote resource conservation technologies have
been made from a decade.
 Spread of conservation agriculture have been made through the combined
efforts of several SAU’s and ICAR institutes.
 CA technologies is taking place in the irrigated regions of Indo- Gangetic
plains where rice-wheat cropping system dominates.
 CA systems have not been tried or promoted in other major agro- eco
regions like rainfed semi-arid tropics, the arid regions.
Conservation agriculture (CA) in India
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Achieve acceptable profits
Alleviating hunger
High and sustained production levels
Contributing to food security
Reduce input and labor cost
Environmental objectives (such as carbon sequestration and climate
change)
Goals of Conservation Agriculture
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Principles of Conservation Agriculture
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Principles of Conservation Agriculture
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Benefits of Conservation Agriculture
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 Zero tillage, also known as no-till farming,
 It is an agricultural practice where crops are grown
without disturbing the soil through plowing or
tilling.
 Instead of traditional tillage, farmers leave crop
residues on the field, plant directly into the soil,
and use cover crops or herbicides to control
weeds.
a) No tillage or zero tillage
1 .The role of No or Minimum mechanical soil disturbance in CA system
Residue cover is maintained 100 per cent
Recent advances in conservation agriculture
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 Reduced tillage is a farming practice that minimizes soil disturbance compared
to traditional plowing but still involves some level of tillage.
 It falls between conventional tillage (which involves deep plowing) and zero
tillage (which avoids tilling altogether) .
Residue cover is maintained up to 30 per cent
b) Reduced tillage
Types of Reduced Tillage Systems
1. Strip Tillage – Only narrow strips of soil are tilled, leaving the rest undisturbed.
2. Ridge Tillage – Crops are planted on permanent ridges, reducing soil erosion.
3. Mulch Tillage – Crop residues or cover crops are left on the surface to protect
the soil.
4. Vertical Tillage – Uses shallow, vertical cuts to loosen the soil without turning
it over.
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Strip Tillage Ridge Tillage
Mulch Tillage Vertical Tillage
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Benefits of Zero / Reduced Tillage
1. Soil Conservation – Reduces erosion by maintaining soil structure
and moisture.
2. Improved Soil Health – Enhances organic matter, microbial activity,
and nutrient retention.
3. Water Conservation – Reduces runoff and increases water
infiltration.
4. Lower Costs – Saves fuel, labor, and machinery expenses.
5. Carbon Sequestration – Helps mitigate climate change by reducing
CO emissions.
₂
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 Residue cover refers to the layer of crop residues (such as straw, stalks, leaves,
and roots) left on the soil surface after harvesting.
a) Residue cover -
2) The role and management of soil mulch and cover crops in CA system
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b) Cover crops
 Cover crops are plants grown primarily to improve soil health rather than for harvest.
 They are typically planted between cash crop cycles or alongside main crops in
some systems.
Types of Cover Crops
1. Leguminous Cover Crops (e.g., clover, vetch,
peas) – Fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility.
2. Grasses and Cereals (e.g., rye, oats, barley) –
Prevent erosion and build organic matter.
3. Brassicas (e.g., radish, mustard, turnips) – Help
break up soil compaction and suppress pests.
4. Broadleaf Cover Crops (e.g., buckwheat,
sunflower) – Attract beneficial insects and
suppress weeds.
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Benefits of Residue Cover & Cover crops –
1. Reduces Soil Erosion – Protects soil from wind and water erosion by
reducing runoff.
2. Improves Soil Moisture – Slows evaporation, helping retain water in the
soil.
3. Regulates Soil Temperature – Provides insulation against extreme heat
and cold.
4. Enhances Soil Organic Matter – Decomposing residues add nutrients and
improve soil health.
5. SuppressesWeeds – Blocks sunlight, reducing weed germination.
6. Supports Soil Microorganisms – Encourages beneficial microbial activity
and earthworm populations.
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 Higher diversity in crop production
 Reduces risk of pest and weed infestation
 Helps in better exploration of water and nutrients in
soil profile
 Increases nitrogen fixation through legumes and
improves balance of N/P/K from both organic and
mineral sources
 Increases humus formation
 Based on the situations, farmers can adopt
intercropping and mixed cropping
3 ) The role of crop diversification and cropping system management in CA system
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4 ) The status of mechanization in CA system
1. Seeding and Planting Equipment
 No-till seed drills & planters: Directly place seeds into residue-covered soil with minimal
disturbance.
 Strip-till planters: Prepare narrow seedbeds while keeping the rest of the field
undisturbed.
2. Residue andWeed Management
 Residue managers: Machines like rolling crimpers flatten cover crops without removing
soil cover.
 Herbicide sprayers: Precision sprayers help in weed control with reduced chemical use.
 Mechanization plays a crucial role in Conservation Agriculture (CA) by enabling efficient land
preparation, planting, weed control, and residue management while minimizing soil
disturbance.
 However, its adoption varies globally depending on factors like farm size, financial resources,
and access to appropriate technology .
Key Areas of Mechanization in CA
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3. Fertilizer Application
 Banding applicators : Apply fertilizers precisely to minimize loss and
maximize uptake.
 Controlled-release fertilizers reduce the need for multiple applications.
4. Soil Compaction Management
 Controlled traffic farming (CTF) : Uses GPS and machinery with fixed
wheel tracks to reduce soil compaction.
 Low-pressure tires & tracks help distribute weight evenly.
5. Harvesting and Residue Handling
 Residue spreaders : Ensure even distribution of crop residues for soil
protection.
 Strip harvesting systems leave plant stubble to enhance moisture retention
and soil health.
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5 ) Managing topography in CA system
 Farming with row patterns around the hill,
across the slope rather than Up and Down .
 It is more effective between slope of 2-10% .
 Vegetables ,Grains and Legume crops are
suitable .
a ) Contour farming : b ) Terracing :
 It is an agricultural practice that suggests
rearranging farmlands or turning hills
into terraces.
 Grains , Vegetables and legumes and
Spices
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 Used when a slope is too steep or too long.
 Crops are grown alternatively erosion
permitting and erosion resisting crops .
Ex – Maize + Groundnut
Maize + Pulse crop
c ) Strip cropping - d )Waterways -
 Natural drainage ways that are
converted into channels that are planted
with grass
 As it improves water quality and reduces
soil erosion.
 Grain and Forage crops are most suitable .
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 Growing of perennial plants under CA systems make
maximum use of the land and increase land-use
efficiency.
 The productivity of the land can be enhanced as the trees
provide forage, firewood and other organic materials
that are recycled and used as natural fertilizers.
 Increased the yields of crops and also plants.
 Protect and stabilize ecosystems and promote resilient
cropping and farming systems to minimize the risk
during extreme climatic events.
6 ) Managing perennial plants in conservation agriculture system
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 The Future of Conservation Agriculture in Agriculture is gaining
importance as a sustainable farming approach to enhance soil health,
increase resilience to climate change, and improve productivity.
 Its future looks promising, with increasing adoption worldwide due to
the pressing need for sustainable food production.
Future of CA in Agriculture
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Global Trends
 More farmers are shifting to CA due to soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate
change.
 Countries in Africa, South America, and Asia are increasingly promoting CA as a
sustainable farming solution.
 Policies and incentives from governments and organizations like the FAO and the World
Bank are encouraging CA adoption.
Regional Growth
 Developed countries (USA, Canada, Australia, Europe) are integrating advanced
technologies like AI-driven soil monitoring and precision agriculture into CA.
 Developing countries (India, Brazil, African nations) are focusing on low-cost, high-impact
CA methods like mulching, crop rotation, and minimum tillage
1. Adoption and Expansion of Conservation Agriculture
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a) Precision Agriculture
 Drones, IoT sensors, and AI-based tools will improve soil health monitoring and optimize
inputs like fertilizers and water.
 Data-driven decision-making will allow farmers to manage land more efficiently.
b) No-Till and Reduced-Till Innovations
 Advanced seed drills and specialized planting equipment will make no-till farming more
efficient and accessible.
 Bio-engineered cover crops will enhance soil fertility and weed suppression.
c) Soil Health Management
 New biological fertilizers and microbial soil enhancers will replace chemical fertilizers.
 AI-driven soil analysis will enable better decision-making regarding nutrient
management.
2.Technological Advancements in Conservation Agriculture
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CA will play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
Improved soil organic matter through cover crops and mulching will
enhance resilience to droughts and floods
Sustainable water management practices will reduce dependence
on irrigation.
3. Climate Change and Conservation Agriculture
4. Policy Support and Economic Factors
Governments are offering subsidies for CA adoption, such as grants for
no-till equipment.
Carbon credit markets will provide financial incentives to farmers
adopting CA.
Certification programs (e.g., regenerative agriculture labels) will
increase market value for CA-based products
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5. Challenges and Solutions -
Challenges Potential Solutions
 Intial high cost of transitioning to CA  Government subsidies ,shared equipment
models
 Knowledge gap among farmers  Extension services ,online training , mobile
apps
 Resistance to change from conventional
farming
 Demonstration farms ,Farmer – to – Farmer
education
 Weed and Pest control without tillage  Use of cover crops , integrated pest
management
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6. Future Outlook
 By 2050, conservation agriculture will likely be the dominant farming practice due
to climate change pressures.
 Innovations in biotechnology and digital agriculture will enhance CA adoption.
 Farmers who embrace CA early will benefit from higher soil productivity, better
water efficiency, and climate resilience
 As technology advances and climate change demands sustainable solutions,
CA will be an essential part of global agriculture.
 Governments, agribusinesses, and farmers must work together to scale up CA
adoption for a sustainable future.
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THANK YOU