Conservation farming: Actisol’s values
Since its inception, our company has been guided by the principle of working with respect for, and in harmony with, the ecosystem of your land, as part of a sustainable and responsible approach to agriculture. Our vision for agriculture focuses on enhancing the value of your soil as a resource, whilst preserving and enriching the terrestrial life of agricultural land. This agroecological approach helps to build an agricultural system that is environmentally responsible, more productive and more resilient to climate-related challenges.
Conservation farming: definition
The term conservation farming first appeared in 1997 and was developed to compensate for the intensive farming of the previous 50 years which was depleting the soil.
This agroecological farming model focuses on the work of farmers in partnership with nature and the elements for more respectful, profitable, and balanced farming from a chemical, ecological, and structural point of view.
Soil conservation farming (SCF) is a sustainable agricultural practice aimed at preserving agricultural soils. SCF encompasses all the farming techniques that help to maintain the fertility of arable land and also to improve degraded land. It helps to enhance soil health by promoting its biological and microbial activity.
Which contribute to the necessary exchanges of healthy soil and the conservation and restitution of water. SCF increases the long-term productivity of a plot using fewer inputs.
The three pillars of conservation agriculture
Conservation farming calls for a preliminary study of the soil, tillage practices, and the farmer’s objectives.
1-Maintaining permanent plant cover
Establishing permanent soil cover during fallow periods or during production is the foundation of SCF. Plant cover, also known as cover crops, is a sustainable agricultural practice that protects and regenerates the soil. The exchange between the soil and the plant is essential for maintaining and developing a rich and active ecosystem.
The choice of cover crops depends on the climate, the soil of the plot and the farm’s specific requirements. There are three main groups of cover crops, each with its own specific benefits. Opting for a mixture of these species ensures maximum germination, regardless of weather conditions:
Planting a combination of these species guarantees maximum yield depending on the weather:
- Cruciferous plants drain the soil and explore it with their root system
- Grasses act on the first centimetres of the soil and play a role in maintaining the structure
- Legumes are considered the pantry of the soil. This family provides nitrogen to the cover plants which is then returned to the crops that follow.
The plant cover provides what the soil needs by maintaining its structure and avoiding compaction.
2-Reduced tillage: preserving the soil’s natural structure and the biological life that thrives within it. Conservation agriculture advocates reduced tillage and direct sowing, as well as the judicious use of inputs, so that the soil’s natural biological activity is affected as little as possible. This reduction in tillage helps to conserve the organic matter present, so that it can be returned to the crops.
3-Crop diversification in long-term crop rotations: Crop rotation improves the fertility of plots by ensuring that the same soil resources are not constantly depleted, thereby allowing those that have been used to be replenished. This also reduces the need for fertilisers and pesticides and strengthens the soil’s resistance to diseases and climatic stresses.
Benefits of conservation farming
By taking up the three SCF pillars, one of the first benefits is the reduction in fossil fuel expenditure. By limiting tillage, the fuel consumption of motorised machinery decreases significantly, limiting GHG emissions.
Just like the reasoned use of inputs, the savings generated by the implementation of this agroecological technique has a positive impact on farmers’ expenses. In addition, the life of the soil is protected as it is no longer destroyed by repeated passes of machinery.
The return of terrestrial and aerial biodiversity thanks to permanent plant cover is an undeniable benefit. In addition to soil organisms, including earthworms, planting plant cover also benefits flying wildlife. Plant cover leaves an aerated, temperate soil, which retains humidity, no longer leaches, and stores the nutrients needed by crops. Weed proliferation is also limited.
Destroying this plant cover returns organic matter, essential to soil fertility, and the organisms populating it to the soil.
Crop rotation also slows the development of diseases and pests impacting production. Conversely, beneficial insects and biodiversity are naturally promoted.
Actisol and soil conservation
Conservation farming has been at the heart of Actisol’s thinking since the 1960s. Our machinery is designed to till vertically, respecting agronomic rules, which is important for us.
With Actisol’s invention of the cracking technique, we create mechanical macroporosity fostering deep root growth. At Actisol, this is called profile verticalisation.
The Actisol straight tooth – fine and fluid – penetrates the soil without turning over or upsetting the horizons in order to preserve the fertile layers while leaving the more sterile layers deeper. As such, microbial life and flora remain in their environment to optimise their role in the topsoil.
Actisol is the pioneer in this method and this unique technical process. Preserving your soil capital is our primary objective. Our entire range has been designed according to your requirements and to respond to your farming, winegrowing, or market gardening issues.
We continually innovate and adapt our farm machinery to avant-garde or more conventional requirements. Versatile and durable over time, our machinery follows the shift towards more sustainable and sustainable farming.
At Actisol, we firmly believe that the future lies in sustainable, responsible and sustainable agriculture. By applying the principles of conservation agriculture, it is possible to balance agronomic performance, economic profitability and respect for natural resources. Preserving soil health today means ensuring the productivity of tomorrow’s farms, in line with the principles of sustainable development.