Open Access

Abstract only

Soil fertility depletion and climatic volatility are the major biophysical barriers confronting small scale farmers in Africa (e.g. Smaling et al., 1997; Challinor et al., 2007). On the other hand, African farming systems and landscapes are highly heterogeneous creating complex socio-ecological environments characterised by wide differences in farmers’ resource endowments and the use of such resources (van Wijk et al., 2009). Although a basket of possible technologies is available, poor resource endowments and seed and fertilizer costs limit the options available for farmers to improve their circumstances. Predictive crop modelling may help to explore the ex ante effects of an array of intensification options and answer most of the ‘what if’ questions (Jones et al., 2003). Participatory modelling with farmers provides for integrative analysis and development of alternatives for increased productivity and sustainability, at both the cropping and farming systems levels. Thus a comprehensive farm design has to take into account climatic variability and change, diverse farms (household priorities and production objectives), and a landscape consisting of fields of different soil fertility status. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of conventional tillage and conservation agriculture to offset the effects of climate variability and change on crop productivity across farms of different resource endowment. This interactive analysis at multi-scales allows the identification of cropping systems that are suitable to farmers’ conditions, increase productivity and offer possible adaptation strategies to climate variability and change.

Conservation Agriculture Program

Text in english

I1706386

INT3360

CRUL01