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| Date: | Mon, 12 Oct 2015 22:47:26 +0100 |
| Content-Type: | multipart/alternative |
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*CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE*
*for sustainable production intensification*
Dear Subscribers,
On 2nd October, FAO and the European Agricultural Machinery Industry
Association CEMA, an international non-profit organisation, forged a new
partnership that aims to promote wider use of sustainable agricultural
mechanization in developing countries.
The two organizations will work together to manage and disseminate
knowledge on sustainable approaches to agricultural mechanization. They
will also jointly develop technical programmes to support innovation in
mechanization and facilitate the implementation of sustainable
mechanization initiatives at the field level.
The full press release can be read at:
http://agriculture.einnews.com/pr_news/289486114/new-partnership-to-promote-sustainable-mechanization-of-agriculture?n=2&code=jV-MGQ_xwvvJL2CU
Promoting sustainable mechanization in agriculture means that more tasks
can be completed at the right time, more efficiently and saving labour and
energy. However, the equipment has to be compatible with the social,
economic and environmental conditions in which it will work, in order to
achieve sustainable crop production intensification.
Onе such example of this type of equipment that can easily adapt to the
context of developing countries is the range of low-cost smaller horsepower
tractors. This type of tractor can be attached to planters designed to
operate on soils under zero tillage regimes by depositing seeds directly
into the soil with minimal disturbance.
Compared to traditional tillage-based practices, direct seeding is far more
energy efficient and less time consuming. It also reduces input losses and
drudgery and, over time, achieves better crop yields when combined with
adequate conservation agriculture practices. The effect on the environment
is also very positive as soil erosion and compaction are eliminated and
biodiversity is enhanced.
Direct planters are also well suited to animal traction which can also be
used to pull small carts for transporting people and of goods. Low
horsepower tractors, and indeed stationary engines, can also be used by
smallholders to power other agricultural equipment, such as pumps,
threshers and mills, improving farming conditions and productivity and
coping with problems such as labour shortage and inadequate processing
times.
*Amir Kassam *
*Moderator*
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
URL: www.fao.org/ag/ca
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