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Desire for Greener Land

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Assessment<br />

Impacts of the Technology<br />

Production and socio-economic benefits Production and socio-economic disadvantages<br />

decreased workload<br />

increased farm income<br />

Socio-cultural benefits Socio-cultural disadvantages<br />

improved conservation / erosion knowledge<br />

increased recreational opportunities<br />

Ecological benefits Ecological disadvantages<br />

reduced surface runoff<br />

reduced soil loss<br />

improved soil cover<br />

increased soil organic matter / below ground C<br />

reduced emission of carbon and greenhouse gases<br />

increased soil moisture<br />

reduced soil crusting / sealing<br />

increased plant diversity<br />

Off-site benefits Off-site disadvantages<br />

reduced damage on neighbours fields<br />

reduced downstream siltation<br />

Contribution to human well-being/livelihoods<br />

farm income of most farmers has increased due to lower production costs<br />

Benefits/costs according to land user<br />

Benefits compared with costs short-term: long-term:<br />

Establishment slightly positive slightly positive<br />

Maintenance/recurrent slightly positive slightly positive<br />

Acceptance/adoption:<br />

One hundred per cent of land user families have implemented the technology voluntarily. There is currently no support <strong>for</strong> reduced tillage<br />

of almond orchards. There is moderate trend towards (growing) spontaneous adoption of the technology.<br />

Concluding statements<br />

Strengths and how to sustain/improve Weaknesses and how to overcome<br />

Reduced tillage has a very positive effect on the reduction of<br />

erosion and runoff, on soil quality and biodiversity If maintained it<br />

will lead potentially to higher yields after several years.<br />

Production costs are reduced Yield and farm income may be<br />

increased by combining this technology with green manure under<br />

ecological agriculture (QT SPA05)<br />

On the short term no increase in yield is obtained Combine the<br />

technique with green manure or ecological agriculture as described<br />

in QT SPA05<br />

Key reference(s): Holland, J.M., 2004. The environmental consequences of adopting conservation tillage in Europe: reviewing the evidence. Agriculture,<br />

Ecosystems & Environment, 103(1): 1-25.<br />

Contact person(s): Joris de Vente, EEZA-CSIC, Spain, Joris@sustainable-ecosystems.org<br />

92 DESIRE – WOCAT <strong>Desire</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Greener</strong> <strong>Land</strong>

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