Conservation Agriculture For Food Security And Climate Resilience

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century, primarily from sociological, ecological, and economic perspectives. Human activities are largely responsible for escalating environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, and the degradation of natural resources, including soil degradation and biodiversity loss. One of the greatest challenges in this era of global environmental issues producing enough food for the rapidly growing global population sustainably. Addressing these challenges will increase global pressure on natural resources, particularly soil and water. Conventional agricultural production and the excessive use and mismanagement of unsuitable land deplete soil as a natural resource, leading to its degradation. Soil degradation involves the deterioration of some (or all) soil properties, rendering it less suitable or completely unusable for food production. This degradation results from the deterioration of soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties, leading to compaction, salinization, acidification, soil pollution, loss of soil, erosion, loss of organic matter, reduced biodiversity, desertification, and more. Implementing climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices is essential for enhancing food security, adapting to climate change, and mitigating its effects. Conservation agriculture (CA) is a vital component of climate-smart agriculture, offering numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. CA is a set of soil management practices that aim to achieve sustainable and profitable agriculture while improving the resilience of the environment. It focuses on minimizing soil disturbance (eliminating plowing helps maintain soil structure, reduce erosion, preserve soil moisture and enhance soil organic matter), maintaining a permanent soil cover (cover crops: growing cover crops such as legumes, grasses, or other plants that protect the soil from erosion, enhance soil fertility, and suppress weeds; leaving harvest residues on the surface or mulching: retain moisture, reduce temperature fluctuations, and add organic matter) and practicing crop rotations (growing different types of crops in succession on the same land to break pest and disease cycles, improve soil structure, and enhance nutrient cycling; intercropping: planting multiple crops together in the same field to increase biodiversity and reduce the risk of total crop failure). Successful implementation requires adequate knowledge, technical support, and access to resources such as suitable cover crops. By improving soil health, conserving water, and enhancing resilience to climate change, CA practices contribute to sustainable agricultural systems that can support global food security and environmental conservation, while improving land productivity and resilience to climate change.
Conservation agriculture (CA) practices are not a one-size-fits-all solution and can vary significantly across different agroecological regions. It is crucial to understand that what works in one region may not be suitable for another due to variations in soil types, climate, crop systems, and socio-economic conditions. Identifying and adapting CA practices to local contexts involves comprehensive research and farmer engagement to tailor strategies effectively. For instance, no-till farming may benefit arid regions by conserving moisture, whereas cover cropping might be more advantageous in temperate zones to enhance soil fertility. Successful implementation of CA requires collaboration among agronomists, ecologists, and local communities to develop region-specific guidelines that address unique environmental and cultural challenges. Understanding what works, where, and for whom ensures that CA practices are sustainable, equitable, and beneficial across diverse agroecological regions.

In the context of the aforementioned, we are editing an important topic on the adaptation of agricultural production to climate change, especially in terms of soil water conservation, reduction of soil degradation, and soil health management.
We welcome potential contributions that will analyze on a critical level the complex relationship between conservation agriculture, food security, and climate resilience, covering the following topics but not yet limited:
- Soil Health Improvement: Enhancing soil structure and fertility by promoting the activity of soil organisms; increasing organic matter content and nutrient availability.
- Water Conservation: Improving soil's water infiltration and retention capacity, reducing the irrigation needs; and mitigating the impact of droughts and floods by maintaining soil moisture levels.
- Erosion Control: Reducing soil erosion by protecting the soil surface from wind and water erosion; preserving topsoil and preventing nutrient loss.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Enhancing carbon sequestration by increasing soil organic matter and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from soil disturbance; Lowering energy use and emissions from agriculture production
- Biodiversity Enhancement: promoting a diverse agroecosystem by encouraging the growth of various plant species and supporting wildlife habitats; reducing the dependence on agrochemicals (at first pesticides and fertilizers), fostering a healthier environment.