CA-CoP CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
for sustainable production intensification
Dear Subscribers,
Please see herebelow Rattan Lal's message to me and his latest paper,
Sequestering carbon and increasing productivity by conservation agriculture
in which he discusses the multiple benefits of CA. Note however, he has expanded his concept of
CA to four principles.
You will recall that CA-CoP is a global platform hosted by FAO and which
subscribes to CA with three linked principles (see attached slide from
FAO for the definition of CA and its three principles).
Scientists often want to add complexity to systems - note the complex
computer models we have today. Our challenge though is to strive for
simplicity and isolate the key, unique characteristics that define a system. The three CA principles achieve that as seen from CA's field performance world-wide.
We recognize there is
are management overlays on CA that also apply to other production
systems such as appropriate pest control and nutrient management (the latter as suggested by Lal).
These management overlays are implicit
and present or required of all agricultural cropping systems, not just
CA. Stewardship or proper management is key to success in applying the
CA principles.
As Professor Lal states, “Soil stewardship and care must be embedded in every fruit and vegetable eaten, in each grain ground into the bread consumed, in every cup of water used, in every breath of air inhaled, and in every scenic landscape cherished. It is precisely in this context that CA is an important innovation and a mission for the 21st century.”
Amir Kassam
Moderator
To unsubscribe from the CA-Cop-L list, click the following link:
&*TICKET_URL(CA-Cop-L,SIGNOFF);