Co-designing innovative cropping systems that match biophysical and socio-economic diversity: The DATE approach to Conservation Agriculture in Madagascar, Lao PDR and Cambodia

Abstract

Rapid changes in agricultural systems call for profound changes in agricultural research and extension practices. The Diagnosis, Design, Assessment, Training and Extension (DATE) approach was developed and applied to co-design Conservation Agriculture-based cropping systems in contrasted situations. DATE is a multi-scale, multi-stakeholder participatory approach that integrates scientific and local knowledge. It emerged in response to questions raised by and issues encountered in the design of innovative systems. A key feature of this approach is the high input of innovative systems which are often although not exclusively based on conservation agricultural practices. Prototyping of innovative cropping systems (ICSs) largely relies on a conceptual model of soil–plant–macrofauna–microorganism system functioning. By comparing the implementation of the DATE approach and conservation agriculture-based cropping systems in Madagascar, Lao PDR, and Cambodia, we show that: (i) the DATE approach is flexible enough to be adapted to local conditions; (ii) market conditions need to be taken into account in designing agricultural development scenarios; and (iii) the learning process during the transition to conservation agriculture requires time. The DATE approach not only enables the co-design of ICSs with farmers, but also incorporates training and extension dimensions. It feeds back practitioners’ questions to researchers, and provides a renewed and extended source of innovation to farmers.

Creating Synergies Between Conservation Agriculture and Cattle Production in Crop–livestock Farms: A Study Case in the Lake Alaotra Region of Madagascar

“…However, in some cases, IR is very high (56%; 4.2 t DM/ha) and no longer allows the coverage of 30% of the field (Naudin et al ., 2011). In the case of Brachiaria spp., a moderate biomass removal is rare but the average yield observed for this cover crop is of 14 t DM/ha (Husson et al ., 2008). Thus, with IR below 50%, there is still enough Brachiaria spp.…”

“…Farmers recognize three main interests in these two cover crops: (i) fight against erosion, (ii) improve fertility of tanety 's soil and (iii) produce forage. Recent studies confirmed the high potential of these cover crops to produce aerial biomass (Husson et al ., 2008; Naudin et al ., 2011; Table 1).…”

“…Recent studies confirmed the high potential of these cover crops to produce aerial biomass (Husson et al ., 2008; Naudin et al ., 2011; Table 1).…”

“…Coverage of the fertilizer requirements for crops (CF): This indicator is the ratio between inputs of fertilizer elements (N, P and K) from manure and farm crop fertilizer requirements (Husson et al ., 2009, Table 3): where CF = coverage in N or P or K of crop requirements by application of organic fertilizer elements (%), MP = manure produced (kg DM), fcM = N or P or K content of manure (/kg DM), A = crop area (ha) and frC = N or P or K requirement of crops (units/ha).…”

L'agroécologie, un nouveau rapport aux savoirs et à l'innovation

“…De nombreux exemples de modes de production basés sur les principes de l'agroécologie, et en rupture par rapport à l'agriculture actuelle, ont été proposés dans la littérature scientifique et technique (voir par exemple les synthèses de Viaux 2013, Jacquet et al, 2011Deguine et al, 2016, Husson et al, 2015. Ces « systèmes innovants » peuvent aider à convaincre des agriculteurs qu'il est possible de changer de logique de production, et leur servir de sources d'inspiration, pour inventer leurs propres systèmes.…”