This paper presents the results of field studies conducted to assess the crop yield, system productivity, profitability and soil fertility of maize under the influence of different maize-based conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) in Odisha, India, during the rainy and post-rainy...

This chapter presents a brief history on the development of conservation agriculture and its importance in achieving sustainable and profitable agriculture by improving livelihoods of farmers through the application of minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and rotations. The negative...

This chapter examines the potential biophysical and socio-economic benefits and constraints for scaling up conservation agriculture (CA). It also discusses the relationships of CA with the popular topics of sustainable intensification (SI) and resilience. Case studies focused on CA for small...

This chapter presents the results of field studies conducted to determine the effect of tillage, intercropping and residue cover on crop productivity, profitability and soil fertility under tribal farming situations in Odisha, India. It was shown that intecropping maize and cowpea under minimum...

A brief review of the existing literature is presented to identify gaps in the understanding of why farmers adopt conservation agriculture (CA). This review is divided into three parts. The first examines the literature that addresses constraints on farmers adopting new technology generally. The...

This chapter (1) assesses the socio-economic status and existing agriculture systems of Nepalese tribal farmers; (2) estimates and compares the crop yields, cost of production, labour requirements, and profitability of conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) for these farmers; and (3)...

This chapter focuses on the identification of appropriate tillage methods applicable in Nepal to increase maize yields. The identification of the level and method of farmyard manure application beneficial in terms of soil health and maize production in this country is also discussed.

This paper presents and discusses studies on soil quality in conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) of rainfed, sloping land farming in the central mid-hills region of Nepal. The findings of these studies suggest that the relationship between climate and agriculture is not consistent...

This chapter presents results from India and Nepal on farmer preferences for conservation agriculture (CA) treatments compared to conventional practices. The results indicate that there is high potential for CA in smallholder and subsistence farming regions. Farmers are interested in trying new...

This research sought to examine whether conservation agriculture (CA) could play a role in the empowerment of women through agriculture. The results indicate that there are indeed clear positive impacts for women who practice CA, in terms of time and labour spent on agricultural endeavors, returns...