After 15 years of on-station research at the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), testing and evaluation of no-till technology (NTT) at farm level started in 1997 with three pilot farmers. Recently two new projects were established to promote the introduction and adoption of NTT, in collaboration with the regional council and extension service of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). Fourteen pilot farmers are now involved in the NTT.
The overall purpose is to promote no-till technology to restore soils, improve production, mitigate drought, increase wealth and strengthen farmer's organizations. NTT has been shown to be socially, economically and ecologically adapted at the local conditions.
The approach has three stages:
- Initiation - this includes basic research, strategic research and applied research
- Consolidation - planning is followed by detailed evaluation of the technology adoption on farmer's field
- Maturity - this involves the acceptance/spread of NTT with an increased number of farmers in the future.
INRA carries out research, information dissemination, gives training to technicians and farmers and provides both technical assistance and monitoring. The regional council was convinced by the technology and now financially supports research activities, drill manufacture and extension of NTT. It also facilitates contacts with decision makers and farmers and carries out evaluation. MoA development and extension service provides financial support, advice, technical assistance and logistical support to farmers. Logistical support helps in making drill available.
NGOs are engaged in the development of local/regional networks and farmer's association as well as in funding and providing incentives. Farmers themselves are involved in the implementation, evaluation and dissemination of NTT.
Participation, cross-discipline and bottom-up planning are key elements of the approach. Methods for implementation include long-term community on-farm trials, on-site training and information exchange, participation of stakeholders, information dissemination tools, and multi-directional knowledge flow. These are supplemented by intensive measurement/monitoring schemes, establishment of local/regional networks and farmer's association creation. On-the-job training is also provided.
