Conservation cropping systems on sloping lands for sustainable agriculture
1992
Sawatdi Bunchi (Land Development Regional Office 6, Chiang Mai (Thailand))
Due to population pressure and rapidly increasing demand to cultivated areas on the uplands and highlands farming is more problematic, especially in the Northern and Western parts of the country. Among these problems are deforestation, soil erosion and degradation, decreasing crop yields and ecological deterioration. Therefore, during the 1986-1991 period, the Office of Land Development Region 6, the Department of Land Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, in association with several highland development projects and the International Board for Soil Research and Management (IBSRAM) have launched collaborative research and development projects to identify and implement appropriate conservation cropping systems for sloping lands, which lead to the attainment of sustainable agriculture. Conservation cropping systems such as alley cropping and grass strip cropping reduced soil loss and runoff significantly at a level below the tolerant limit. Early results on productivity and economic returns indicated that the alley cropping and grass strip cropping were more superior than farmers' practice. Furthermore, conservation practices such as contour ploughing, contour planting, strip cropping, minimum tillage, and the use of crop residues as mulch to control erosion and improve the soil productivity were found to be quite appropriate for the uplands and highlands. Campaigns have been launched in order to encourage the upland and highland farmers to accept and adopt the system of integrated farming for soil and water conservation. It is hoped that the system will enable the use of limited natural resources more wisely, efficiently and effectively. At the same time, such practices will help to improve the farmers' socio-economic status and to maintain or even to enhance the quality of the environment, and allow for sustainable land management.
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