Rabah Lahmar

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Dr. A. B. M. Saiful Islam

Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh

Rajan Ghimire

New Mexico State University

Umberto Lombardo

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Somen Acharya

Defence Research And Development Organisation

Md. Khairul Alam

Murdoch University

Ayad M. Fadhil Al-Quraishi

Ishik University

Liberty L.O Mgbanyi

University of Abuja

C. Wade Ross

New Mexico State University

Juan F Gallardo Lancho

CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Spanish National Research Council)

Diego Villasenor

UNIVERSIDAD TECNICA DE MACHALA

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Mission effectuée en Syrie du 05 au 12 mai 2007 pour participer à l'atelier Conservation agriculture for sustainable land management to improve the livelihood of people in dry areas

The high population growth rate, the degradation of agricultural lands and the scarcity of water ... more The high population growth rate, the degradation of agricultural lands and the scarcity of water have raised some doubt about the continuous suitability of the dominant agricultural systems in the dry lands of the Arab region. In face of these environmental and economic challenges and even though there are currently local solutions, there is a need to reconsider those classical agricultural systems and try new agricultural systems which may help preventing soil degradation and increasing its productivity. Conservation agriculture (CA) is considered a promising solution for the region, but looked upon sceptically because of lack of information and because of the varying definitions and terms used (no-tillage, direct planting through a soil cover, conservation tillage, etc.). The system risks not to be accepted by farmers, if the (economical) benefits are not superior to those of the conventional systems, and if it is not supported by agricultural policies and scientific research. Great efforts by all partners and stakeholders are required to implement this system which remains a real hope for sustainable agriculture in the Arab countries, in rainfed as well as in irrigated agriculture. Keys words: system CA, aridity index, adoption, rainfed agriculture, water resources Introduction As a result of the prevailing rainfall pattern and soil types, the semi-arid and arid areas constitute almost 90% of the entire area (14.3 million km) of the Arab region (ACSAD, 2004), and are among the most fragile and unstable ecosystems in the world. The rapid population growth (2.6% per annum) increases the pressure on the natural resources (AOAD, 2004), and consequently the degradation of land and water resources is alarming. This situation implies the need for a compromise between sustainable agricultural production that conserves the environment, and provides income to farmers at an acceptable productivity and a performance with a feasible cost for the state. Conservation agriculture, although it is perceived in the region with great caution due to the lack of information and to the ambiguity of the definitions given to it so far (no-tillage, direct drilling/seeding, drilling/seeding through a vegetative cover), could be the solution for agricultural production without degrading the natural resources. The system, however runs the risk of not being accepted Conservation Agriculture (CA) in the Arab World between Concept and Application Abdelouahab Belloum Conservation Agriculture Program The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) P.O. Box 2440, Damascus, Syria [email protected]; Tel. : +963 11 5743063 by the farmers if the direct benefits it provides are not greater than, or similar to those offered by conventional agriculture. The dissemination has to be supported by appropriate agricultural policies and participative research programmes that deepen the knowledge of the biophysical mechanisms underlying the functioning of the system and the conditions for its adoption by farmers (CNEARC CIRAD-CA, 2001). An unfavourable geo-climatic context An unfavourable climate, marked by spatio-temporal irregularities, coupled with growing tensions on land and water resources, stresses the importance of a progressive orientation towards an economically feasible and environmentally viable agriculture. Where soils were subjected to intensive agriculture, physical degradation followed automatically. Establishing a well managed system of conservation agriculture allows producers to increase and maintain soil organic matter and soil life. As such, the impact on soil stability, reduction of erosion, and increased water use-efficiency are remarkable (Blanchart et al., 2000). The geo-climatic context of the region is mostly Mediterranean, characterised by a relatively temperate (rainy) season during which the cyclonic disturbances bring rain, sometimes substantial events, especially on hills. This is followed by a dry period and calm weather (Belloum, 1992). The rainfall pattern reflects the same trends and tendencies of the Mediterranean climate (alternating dry and wet periods). It is essential for the presentation of the rainfall distribution and its pattern to determine two indices that translate the nuances of the pattern and the inequality of the distribution. The index P/n is a direct function of the average annual rainfall (P) and is inversely proportional to the number of rainy days per year (n). In fact, it expresses the degree of the uneven rainfall distribution throughout the year. A high value of P/n indicates a concentration of rainfall or precipitation. A small value of this index indicates simply a rainfall distribution which is staggered over time; which is not the case of all the sites taken as example (Fig. 1). The index S/P reflects perfectly the rainfall concentration in a period of maximum precipitation(S corresponding to three consecutive months during which the accumulated rainfall is highest).…

Growing Cowpeas in Burkina Faso: A Pathway for Small-Scale Contextual Farming Adaptation?

Autrepart, 2012

In a few years, the cowpea evolved from a traditional food crop mainly reserved for family subsis... more In a few years, the cowpea evolved from a traditional food crop mainly reserved for family subsistence and local markets to a cash crop directed toward urban and regional markets. Notwithstanding the myth of crop intensification through monocropping in large-scale farms, the increase in production mainly results from small-scale farms producing cowpeas associated to cereals. This paper shows that cowpeas currently occupy a unique position in the food system of smallholder agriculture in Burkina Faso because of their many agro-ecological and socio-economic benefits. The paper suggests that in accordance with current farmers’ strategies, cowpea densification within current intercrop systems is a more interesting option than the intensification via monocropping. It calls for research to support these processes in order to improve their sustainability.

Salvar nuestros suelos : 16 propuestas para proteger nuestras sociedades

Por su diversidad y su multifuncionalidad, los suelos constituyen una de las bases de la vida y u... more Por su diversidad y su multifuncionalidad, los suelos constituyen una de las bases de la vida y uno de los mayores factores de equilibrio de la biosfera. Son una de las principales preocupaciones actuales en el debate sobre el desarrollo humano, en particular en lo que concierne a la alimentacion, al medio ambiente y a los cambios climaticos. Ninguna solucion a estos problemas sera viable si no se los toma en cuenta. (Resume d'auteur)

Compte-rendu de la mission effectuée au Sénégal du 30 novembre au 4 décembre 2009

Rabah Lahmar

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