Adopting Conservation Agriculture Systems in Morocco: A Case Study

Abstract

<jats:p>This research paper addresses, from an ecogeographic perspective within a localised context, a new concept of nature conservation within modern farming systems: the direct seeding technique based on the principles of the Conservation Agriculture System (CAS). The adoption of CAS aims to increase soil fertility, promote biodiversity, and sustain production, making it one of the most effective adaptation solutions available to address the challenges of climate change. CAS is defined as a farming system based on three key principles: minimal soil disturbance (reduced or zero tillage), maintaining a permanent soil cover (with residues from previous crops), and adopting crop rotation (diversifying crops rather than limiting them to a single type in consecutive seasons). However, there is limited research and a lack of scientific studies on the implementation of conservation agriculture in developing nations such as Morocco, particularly in the Had Kourt region. This study aims to assess the feasibility of CAS compared to traditional agricultural systems by surveying the opinions of farmers who have experience with both systems and comparing the outcomes of their practices based on simple indicators as an initial stage, with further analysis of additional indicators planned through subsequent scientific investigations. The sampling method used in this study is non-discriminatory, as semi-structured interviews were conducted with a group of farmers to gather their opinions on CAS. The adoption of conservation agriculture has been linked to prior knowledge of the system, acquired through training and fieldwork via application platforms, which remain limited in scope.</jats:p>