There have been several reports and evidence of crop failures across the country due to the unpredictable rainfall pattern. Rainfall pattern has actually been getting worse over the years. Farmers are now feeling the severity of the issue when their hope of getting better rains seem not to happen year after year.
The solution to this pattern has been well disseminated by the Centre for No-till Agriculture (CNTA) and farmers are gradually grasping the concept and its benefits.
The fact is, it remains the one solution for the current rainfall pattern, or crops will continually fail. Worse of all, crops will fail as our soils and environment are also destroyed with the current cropping technologies being practised.
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PRACTISE CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE
Now, we will outline just a couple of things you need to do, under conservation agriculture, to successfully produce Crops even in the erratic and reduced amount of rainfall.
1. Do not “slash and burn”.
In your land preparation, you might be considering slashing the bush and setting it on fire to clear the land for planting. No, leave the residue on the land, it has lots of benefits. “Slash and burn” is a bad practice and it will not help the growth of your crops. You would also be destroying your soil if you do. Know more »
2. Do not disturb the soil.
In other words, do not till the soil. Turning the soil either manually or mechanically changes the soil structure and encourages erosion, leaching of nutrients and others. It is important you leave the soil intact if you are to successfully produce crops. That promotes all the factors that help plant growth. Know more »
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3. Apply mulch or cover to the soil.
If the first two points are adhered to, there might not be the need for this point. However, in the case where mulch cover is not enough due to previous activities on the land, you can bring on extra mulch to make sure the surface of the soil is adequately covered to conserve moisture for the crops. Planting cover crops will also give similar benefits. Covering the soil surface from direct sunlight improves microbial and other organisms activities that improve the soil. When they are decayed by these organisms the mulch add plant nutrients to the soil. Know more about conservation agriculture »
To learn more about conservation agriculture and better ways of farming in the worsening climatic trends, use the following links. In case you need further assistance, go to the support forum and we will be there to help.
