Conservation agriculture conference begins in Turkey’s Konya

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

The International Conference on Conservation Agriculture began on July 5 in the Central Anatolian province of Konya, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has stated.        

“The potential of Turkey’s Konya Closed Basin to adopt an environmentally more sustainable approach to crop production - known as conservation agriculture - will be discussed,” the FAO said in a statement.      
 
The three-day event, hosting scientists, experts and farmers from 18 countries in Central and Western Asia and North Africa, aims to formulate and implement an innovative strategy for spreading conservation agriculture while considering local biophysical, economic, social, policy and institutional factors.
       
“Participants will analyze a preliminary study on the potential of conservation agriculture here, as well as opportunities and hindrances to adopting conservation agriculture in their own countries,” the FAO stated.        
The conference, organized by FAO and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, within the framework of a project co-funded by the EU and Turkey, will end on July 7.        

Conservation agriculture, promoted by FAO, aims to produce high crop yields while reducing production costs, maintaining soil fertility and conserving water.        

It comprises three main principles: Minimum soil disturbance, diversification of cropping systems and the covering of as much soil as possible.