Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/56665
Title: Opportunities and challenges for conservation agriculture in Botswana
Contributor(s): Kashe, Keotshephile (author); Sindel, Brian M  (author)orcid ; Kristiansen, Paul  (author)orcid ; Jessop, Robin  (author)
Publication Date: 2023-11-19
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1080/14735903.2023.2270257
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/56665
Abstract: 

Conservation agriculture (CA) is being promoted as an energy efficient and cost-effective farming system that conserves soil and water and improves crop yields. Adoption of this farming system can contribute to attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. However, the adoption rate of this new farming technique by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is low. The trade-offs and synergies related to the three pillars that anchor CA have not, however, been investigated in the context of Botswana. Farmers are faced with trade-offs in the use of crop residue in CA as mulch with traditional use as feed for livestock. This paper reviews the components of CA with a view to contribute to the development of CA strategies for Botswana. We show that adoption of CA in SSA is challenged by lack of weed control measures, the lack of a market for grain legumes and competing uses of crop residue. The paper highlights the discrepancy between CA methods and current government subsidies, issues that may restrain the adoption of CA in Botswana. The paper concludes by making recommendations for research and policy development for sustainable CA practices in Botswana.

Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 21(1), p. 1-18
Publisher: Earthscan Ltd
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1747-762X
1473-5903
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 300202 Agricultural land management
300409 Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)
300210 Sustainable agricultural development
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 260199 Environmentally sustainable plant production not elsewhere classified
260303 Grain legumes
280101 Expanding knowledge in the agricultural, food and veterinary sciences
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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