By: K. Afrane Okese

K. Afrane Okese — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 08:15:40 +0000

In reply to Rudy Akpabla. Thanks Rudy. Conservation agriculture (no-till) is demonstrated in these projects carried out a couple of years ago. Please refer to them and if you have questions, feel free. Gallery: Cassava Demonstration Farm under No-till 2015/2016 Report on Cassava demonstration in 2015/2016 Ginger Demonstration 2016 (Photos) Under Conservation Agriculture Report on Ginger Demonstration 2016 under Conservation Agriculture

By: Rudy Akpabla

Rudy Akpabla — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 01:34:04 +0000

In reply to K. Afrane Okese. Do you have any video clips to further show or explain this. Any video links. Thank you

By: K. Afrane Okese

K. Afrane Okese — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 12:31:32 +0000

In reply to Ralph (Lofty) Ferreira.

I am extremely grateful for your kind words. I like the expression “the soil is a living community”.

Let us all contribute and share the information to conserve our precious soils.

Thank you.

By: Ralph (Lofty) Ferreira

Ralph (Lofty) Ferreira — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 11:41:10 +0000

Hello all,
Conservation farming or Sustained Land management practice is something dear to my heart. To achieve this on a personal level and even National level is going to take a massive mind set shift by all farmers concerned and the Governments of whatever particular country the individual farmer is operating.
Conservation farming used to be widely practiced in various forms in my home country Zimbabwe starting in the 60’s and we had a Government extension service second to none with officers and staff stationed in each farming district. Their specific role was to advise and make sure the farmers of their specific areas farmed to a minimum standard. Coupled with this high quality Agricultural Colleges were established in various parts of the country and the courses were two years in duration having spent a compulsory year of practical farming with an established farmer. This all lead to the country becoming renowned for its Agricultural ability.
I have inserted this little bit of history to try and demonstrate that to be a good and progressive farmer and thereby being a responsible custodian of your piece of land is not an over night wonder but takes a tremendous amount of hard work and attention to detail before results can be seen.
In Zimbabwe today there is an organization called Foundation for Farming (they do have a web site – simply do a Google search for Foundations for Farming, Zimbabwe) and you will get the details required to be able to contact them and see what they are about.
No-till and minimum-till is definitely the way to go, but farmers must educate themselves on the wider principles of why these two farming practices are so effective and that the traditional ways of farming are helping to accelerate a natural course of nature called ‘Climate Change’!!!
As farmers we can certainly help to slow it down by adopting good and sustainable farming practices but we will never be able to stop it.
The secret to success is to know and remember that the soil is a living community with millions of microscopic and naked to the eye organisms and animals all living in perfect harmony as our Lord and creator intended. Whatever methodology one decides to practice has to keep damage and destruction to this living cosmopolitan community down to the least possible amount. Your soil and environment will then be able to not only sustain you but your whole community and country as well.
I salute you Mr Afrane Okese for what you are trying to do. Well done and keep it up. God be with you.

Comments on: Evaluating the Benefits of Conservation Agriculture (No-till) in Africa

By: K. Afrane Okese

By: Rudy Akpabla

By: K. Afrane Okese

By: Ralph (Lofty) Ferreira