RIU Zambia Conservation Agriculture pilot support 70% of yield increases
8 September 2010

RIU Zambia National Programme Officer, Frank Kayula, reported that the Conservation Agriculture pilots in Zambia have resulted in increased yields. Research by GART/CFU suggested that 70% of increased yields is down to timely planting and weed controls, according to the latest research results.

RIU Zambia has developed a voucher system to facilitate use of draft animals. This is enabling farmer entrepreneurs to provide minimum-tillage services complemented by herbicide spray services to ensure timely land preparation and effective weed control. The voucher scheme means that clusters of farms can be served and a more viable business built for the entrepreneurs providing the draft animal and herbicide.

These results were presented to the second thematic meeting of the Conservation Agriculture Association, held on 1 September 2010 in Lusaka at the Pamodzi Hotel.

This pie chart shows the component factors that contribute to the 70% increase in productivity. This is a combination of:

• timeliness in planting (or early planting)
• timeliness in weed control

RIU in Zambia is addressing these two factors through the draft power voucher system which includes herbicide spraying, so that farmers can achieve timeliness in planting and weed control.