.:: Lao Knowledge Base on Conservation Agriculture ::.
Plant species used for permanent soil cover produce high quantities of biomass and have powerful root systems, therefore:- Creating an environment suitable for the development of intense biological activity in the soil
- Increasing organic matter contents in the soil
- Providing nutrients required for crop plants and recycling of leached elements to benefi t the crops
- Conserving groundwater through better infiltration, reduced evaporation since the soil is protected against high temperatures, better water retention capacity and tapping of water from deep soil horizons
- Improving the soil structure on the surface and in deep horizons
- Controlling weeds and plant diseases
- Increasing crop productivity (quantity of product generated per volume and time unit)
- Decreasing the impact of climatic variations (especially rainfall)
- Economic benefits—attractive cropping systems and cost-effective farming activities
- Reduction in labour time and laborious work
- Reduction in labour demand
- Reduction in expenditures concerning fuel (large-scale farms), inputs (fertilizers, pesticides) and equipment acquisition (e.g. tractors), use and maintenance
- Diversified agricultural production: associations with livestock production is possible as cover plants can produce excellent forage
Production levels that are comparable to or even higher than levels obtained via modern intensive agriculture, and at minimal expenditure
