1. 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

2. 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

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

4. 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

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

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

7. Gross margin analysis Zidyana, Malawi
Source: Ngwira, A.R., Thierfelder, C., Lambert, D.M., 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

8. 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

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

10. Zimuto Communal Area, Zimbabwe

11. Rainfall variability at Zimuto Communal Area, 2004-2013

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

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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Thank you very much…!