This book focuses on the latest research in conservation agriculture (CA), with an emphasis on the applicability of results worldwide. Using South Asia as a case study, it examines the history and current state of CA regionally and globally, and explores the long-term impacts the adoption of CA practices has on the livelihoods, agricultural production, gender equity, and regional economic development of rural societies. This inclusive framework is achieved via interdisciplinary analysis at scales ranging from the household level to regional and national levels, and contributions by multidisciplinary and multinational CA researchers and experts. The book, consisting of 12 chapters, provides a comprehensive analysis of the social, environmental, and economic factors that impact CA practice, and estimates the magnitude of such impacts, over the long term.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Foreword / Maria Gallo -- Preface / Catherine Chan and Jean Fantle-Lepczyk -- A Brief History of Conservation Agriculture / Travis Idol -- Global Perspectives on Conservation Agriculture for Small Households / Adrian Ares, Christian Thierfelder, Manuel Reyes, Neal S. Eash and Jennifer Himmelstein -- Potential of Conservation Agriculture Production Systems (CAPS) for Improving Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security in the Hill Region of Nepal / Bikash Paudel, Theodore Radovich, Catherine Chan, Susan Crow, Jacqueline Halbrendt, Keshab Thapa and Bir Bahadur Tamang -- Effect of Tillage, Intercropping, and Residue Cover on Crop Productivity, Profitability, and Soil Fertility under Tribal Farming Situations in Odisha, India / Aliza Pradhan, Travis Idol, Pravat Kumar Roul, Kshitendra Narayan Mishra, Catherine Chan, Jacqueline Halbrendt and Chittaranjan Ray -- Assessment of Maize-based Conservation Agricultural Production Systems (CAPS) in Rainfed Uplands of Odisha, India / Pravat Kumar Roul, Aliza Pradhan, Kshitendra Narayan Mishra, Plabita Ray, Travis Idol, Satya Narayan Dash, Catherine Chan and Chittaranjan Ray -- Risk as a Determinant of Adoption of Conservation Agriculture by Smallholder Farmers in Malawi / Jessica Rust-Smith -- Economic Potential of Conservation Agriculture Production Systems (CAPS) for Tribal Farmers in the Hill Region of Nepal / Bikash Paudel, Catherine Chan, Aliza Pradhan and Brinton Foy Reed -- Evaluation of Tillage and Farmyard Manure on Soil Properties and Maize Yield in the Mid-hills of Nepal / Roshan Pudasaini and Keshav Raj Pande -- Soil Quality in Conservation Agriculture Production Systems (CAPS) of Rainfed, Sloping Land Farming in the Central Mid-hills Region of Nepal / Susan Crow, Olivia Schubert, Bir Bahadur Tamang, Theodore Radovich, Bikash Paudel, Jacqueline Halbrendt and Keshab Thapa -- Preferences for Conservation Agriculture in Developing Countries: A Case Study on the Tribal Societies of India and Nepal / Cynthia Lai, Catherine Chan, Aliza Pradhan, Bikash Paudel, Brinton Foy Reed and Jacqueline Halbrendt -- Empowering Women through Conservation Agriculture: Rhetoric or Reality? Evidence from Malawi / Jane Maher, Paul Wagstaff and John O'Brien -- Gendered Implications of Introducing Conservation Agriculture (CA): A Case Study in the Hill Region of Nepal / Jacqueline Halbrendt, Bikash Paudel and Catherine Chan.

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