By: Christian Thierfelder, Trent W. Bunderson and Walter Mupangwa Lessons from long-term Conservation Agriculture Research in Southern Africa: Examples from Malawi and Zimbabwe By: Christian Thierfelder, Trent W. Bunderson and Walter Mupangwa

CIMMYT‘s CA work in Southern Africa Ongoing research since 2004 Major target countries, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe Adaptive research on CA systems in 53 target communities Strategic research on 11 research locations and 9 long-term trials

AT Direct seeder Jab-planter Dibble stick Magoye ripper Basin planting Hoe-planter

Case studies in two contrasting communities of southern Africa Zidyana, Nkhotakota District, Central Malawi, high rainfall area (1375mm a-1), sandy clay loams, extension of CA systems mainly by Total LandCare Zimuto, Masvingo Province, Southern Zimbabwe, low potential and low rainfall area (620mm a-1), sandy soils, extension by Governmental Extension services

Zidyana, Nkhotakota District, Malawi Mrs. Agnes Mankwazi, Zidyana EPA, Malawi

Development of maize grain yields at Zidyana, Malawi, 2006-2013

Gross margin analysis Zidyana, Malawi Source: Ngwira, A.R., Thierfelder, C., Lambert, D.M., 2012. Conservation agriculture systems for Malawian smallholder farmers: long-term effects on crop productivity, profitability and soil quality. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems FirstView, 1-14

Success case Malawi: Strong extension support (MoA, TLC) Soft loan facility for herbicide and seed Functional innovation systems approach Biophysical constraints limited (e.g. low crop-livestock interaction, few droughts etc.) Input and output market fairly functional Farmers in need for sustainable intensification Successful maize-groundnut rotations implemented

Farmer exposure and CA adoption in Total LandCare programs in Malawi Source: Total LandCare, 2014

Zimuto Communal Area, Zimbabwe

Rainfall variability at Zimuto Communal Area, 2004-2013

Development of maize grain yields at Zimuto, Zimbabwe, 2006-2013

Gross margin analysis Zimuto, Zimbabwe Source: Thierfelder, C., Mutenje, M., Mujeyi, A., Mupangwa, W. 2014. Where is the limit? Lessons learned from long-term conservation agriculture research in Zimuto Communal Area, Zimbabwe. Food Security under review

Perceptions about constraints to adoption by different farmer groups in Zimuto, Zimbabwe, 2011

Limited adoption in Zimuto: Biophysical environment is challenging Drought stress and low fertility – farmers are risk averse and cash constraint Farmers are dependent on remittances Poor extension services Access to critical inputs is limited (accessibility – affordability) Farmland unsuitable for maize-based farming systems – extensive cattle holding maybe more appropriate

Conclusion Biophysical and economic benefits of CA are evident in both target areas Quality of extension services, access to critical inputs (inputs, herbicides, machinery) and an enabling institutional environment is very important CA should be better targeted to suitable farmers and environments Large scale adoption is possible when key constraints are minimized

Thank you very much…!