Conservation Tillage Systems and Water Productivity - Implications for Smallholder Farmers in Semi-Arid Ethiopia

PhD, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft, The Netherlands
1. Auflage 2007
ISBN: 978-0-415-43946-6
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 130 Seiten, Format (B × H): 178 mm x 254 mm, Gewicht: 295 g

Conservation tillage systems have been adopted by farmers in many countries to solve the problem of land degradation and declining water productivity. Direct application of such tillage systems has not been possible among resource-poor, smallholder farmers in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. Problems such as the lack of rainfall, the costs of herbicides and implements, and the special cultivation needs of the crop tef, which can not be planted in rows, have developed locally-adapted conservation tillage systems. This book considers traditional tillage systems and the results of tests carried out on appropriate conservation tillage implements and systems for smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions of Ethiopia. The traditional tillage implement, the Maresha Plough, and the related tillage systems were identified as being the main cause of repeated and cross-ploughing, leading to land degradation and reduced water productivity. Modified implements were found to be suitable for conservation tillage systems while being simple, light and affordable. Two types of tillage systems developed for maize and tef were found to reduce surface runoff, increase availability of water to crops and increase yields.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Leye, Melesse Temesgen

Fachgebiete

• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Angewandte Ökologie
• Technische Wissenschaften Umwelttechnik | Umwelttechnologie Umwelttechnik
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umwelttechnik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Synopsis, Table of Contents, Abbreviations and Acronyms, Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION, Chapter 2. RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESES, Chapter 3. TRADITIONAL TILLAGE SYSTEMS OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN SEMI-ARID AREAS OF ETHIOPIA1, Chapter 4. MARESHA MODIFIED IMPLEMENTS FOR CONSERVATION TILLAGE3, Chapter 5. WATER PRODUCTIVITY OF STRIP TILLAGE SYSTEMS FOR MAIZE PRODUCTION IN SEMI-ARID ETHIOPIA6., Chapter 6. WATER PRODUCTIVITY OF IMPROVED AND MINIMUM TILLAGE SYSTEMS FOR TEF PRODUCTION IN SEMI-ARID ETHIOPIA12, Chapter 7. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, REFERENCES, Samenvatting, About the author

Über Autor(innen)

Melesse Temesgen Leye