Making Conservation Agriculture Work; Proof of Concept of the Hub Approach in Different Agro-Ecological Areas in Mexico.

Scientific and practical knowledge on Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems is one of CIMMYT’s flagship products. However, it is unlikely that complex, multi-component technologies such as CA can be successfully scaled out through traditional linear models of research and extension. Because of the multi-faceted nature, CA development and extension activities should be concentrated in a few defined locations representative of certain farming systems rather than have lower intensity efforts on a wide scale. For this purpose, CIMMYT aims at the set-up of learning hubs within different farming systems and agro-ecological zones. In those hubs, an intense contact and exchange of information is organized between the different partners in the research and extension process. The actors within the production system (farmers, scientists, machine builders, decision makers, input suppliers, seed companies, press, etc.) work and learn together in order to later multiply this effort in an intense extension and out-scaling process. Through the research and training, regional CA networks are established to facilitate and foment research and extension. Research at the hubs also provides an example of the functionality of CA systems. The hubs are linked to the strategic science platforms operated by international centers and national research institutes to synthesize a global understanding of CA, and its adaptability to different environments, cropping systems and farmers’ circumstances. We will present data and experiences from the installation of two CA hubs: one in the irrigated high-input wheat systems in North Mexico and one in the small holder, rainfed, low-input maize systems in the Central highlands of Mexico. In both hubs similar process and strategies are followed, however, adapted to the local need. In both hubs, the implementation of CA is about to take off since yield increase and stability combined with cost reduction make agricultural systems more profitable while keeping them sustainable.