Many countries of the world have adopted resource conservation technologies. In USA, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Paraguay, and other countries of the World, conservation agriculture and no-tillage is being adopted on an area of 66 million hectares (Derpsch, 2001). The reason for this success is the establishment of networks and farmer associations. Farmer associations such as Confederacion de las Americas de Asociaciones para la Agricultura Sostenible (CAAPAS in Brazil) and networks such as Rede Latinoamericana de Agricultura Conservacionista (RELACO) in Latin America, the South Africa Conservation Tillage Network (ACT) and the European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) are very effective bottom-up means of developing and disseminating conservation agriculture technology. Their formation made it possible to share the information on CA among various stakeholders. This exchange of experiences ultimately led and is continuing to lead to rapid adoption of CA in Latin America, Africa and Europe. (more link)

Although conservation agriculture is being promoted in South Asia its pace of adoption is slower than needed because of the absence of similar farmer associations and networks listed above. Conservation agriculture practices being promoted in South Asia include no-tillage but also include bed planting and laser leveling. No-tillage is being practiced on about 500,000 ha in this region in 2002-03, while laser land leveling has been done on only 40,000 ha. Bed planting technology that results in 30-50% savings in water is practiced on about 6,000 ha. These achievements have been made during the last six years. The need of the day is to start immediate steps for accelerating the adoption rate.

There is valuable experience and expertise on the practices and principles of Conservation Agriculture in South Asia. The effective collection, synthesis, and sharing of this knowledge will greatly stimulate adaptation and adoption of resource conserving practices and systems throughout the region. Formation of networks and farmer groups in South Asia linked to this information would benefit the region and lead to faster and better information on these new technological innovations.

The importance and need for a network for promotion of Conservation Agriculture practices in the region was emphasized in an international workshop on “Conservation Tillage: A Viable Option for Sustainable Agriculture in Eurasia” held at Shortandy, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan during September 19-24, 1999. Subsequently, its existence was endorsed by “ An International Workshop on Conservation Agriculture for Food Security and Environment Protection in Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems” held at Lahore, Pakistan, during February 6-9, 2001. One of its recommendations was that:

 “A Regional Network for Conservation Agriculture in the rice-wheat ecosystem in South Asia should be established similar to other networks around the World. Such a network would generate momentum for the adoption of CA in the region relevant to the diverse range of socio-economic and agro-ecological conditions. It would encourage exchange of expertise and experiences in conservation agriculture among stakeholders and member countries. This network should promote an active integration of CA and IPM approaches in order to achieve a more holistic and system response to the sustainability and productivity required of farmers, in particular small farmers. The proposed network could be called the South Asia Conservation Agriculture Network (SACAN). It is proposed that such a network be coordinated by the On-Farm Water Management at Lahore, Pakistan”.