The technician proposes, the farmer disposes. The adoption of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in the lake Alaotra region, Madagascar

Abstract

Conservation agriculture (CA) has been promoted in the Lake Alaotra region, Madagascar, to implement upland rainfed diversified cropping systems, locally adapted for regular and sustainable production. Surveys on the evolution of agricultural practices and the impact of CA adoption show the existence of a "heart" or group of farmers who have adopted CA (600 for 420 ha in 2010) and a large dissemination of intermediate practices or ICS ("Innovative Cropping Systems" as we qualify them). If CA stricto sensu is actually adopted by a limited number of farmers in the project area, with a strong investment in information and extension for over 3 years, the majority of farmers adopt some techniques from CA (but not the whole package) to improve their conventional cropping systems, creating a continuum between CA and conventional systems. Hence, among the three principles of CA, the practice of rational crop rotation (a relatively new practice locally) is the most popular, followed by the use of cover crops as fodder or green manure. Tillage remains partially used. The major obstacles for CA adoption seem to be a complex technical pathway and the paradigm shift from a short-term to a long-term vision of agriculture. Facing such constraints, farmers innovate and create more flexible cropping patterns (ICS).