The status of conservation tillage in South Africa

It is estimated that on average, less than one percent of South Africa’s cultivated land is under conservation agriculture. This is despite major efforts to promote conservation tillage among smallholder and large-scale farmers. For many, crop growing remain synonymous with ploughing, as good agronomic practice has meant, in the past, keeping fields clean. Andrew Ardington, Henk de Beer and Dr Johann Strauss explore some of the challenges and opportunities for expansion, and also discuss the country’s progress against global conservation agriculture leaders.