Manual on integrated soil management and conservation practices [antikvár]

Foreword The processes of land erosion in various regions of Latin America and Africa have their origin in social, economic and cultural factors that translate into the over-exploitation of the natural resources and the application of inadequate practices for the management of soils and water. The consequences of this are damage to much of the agricultural land, with detrimental effects on food production for the growing population in these continents. Over the last few decades, many efforts have been made to stop the degradation of agricultural land but the process of adoption of new conservationist technologies by the farmers is still slow. Furthermore, the availability of technical personnel trained for this change is limited. The technological strategies that have been developed for the management and conservation of soil and water sometimes are not adapted for the beneficiaries, because they could not participate in the processes of the diagnosis, planning and execution of the actions. In addition, the promotion of conservation tillage systems and practices that were not adapted to specific regional requirements has created credibility problems with the farmers probably since they had been developed in other places and introduced without a correct diagnosis of the local situation. The development of technologies that guarantee the maintenance of agricultural land productivity in Latin America and Africa is a challenge that both technicians and farmers must face through collaborative research and field work in the farmers' own environments and conditions. This includes identification of the problems of management and conservation of soils and water and a greater emphasis on the evaluation of the potential for systems of conservation tillage adapted to the specific conditions of each region. This Manual has been put together with the objective of assisting actions by the diverse groups of human beings who intervene in the conservation of the natural resources, particularly soil and water resources and in the context of each continent, country, region or zone. The Manual brings together a collection of concepts, experiences and practical suggestions that can be of immediate use for identifying problems and for formulating, executing and evaluating actions so as to benefit and to improve the productivity and conservation of soil and water resources. This Manual is based on the Training Course for Soil Management and Conservation, focused particularly on efficient tillage methods for soil conservation, held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria from 21 April to 1 May 1997. It was jointly organized by IITA and FAO with the participation of specialists from both national and international organizations. The publication serves as a guide that will allow technicians and farmers to jointly discover ways to solve the problems and the limitations posed by land degradation in Latin America and Africa. Participatory action by technicians and farmers will be the basis for success in benefiting these regions. It is hoped that the Manual will help to attain the ultimate objective, which is to improve the productivity of the soils and water in a rapid and efficient manner.