Zero Tillage Reduces Water Consumption in Farming

Living Planet | 21.08.2008 | 04:30

Zero Tillage Reduces Water Consumption in Farming

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Zero tillage requires special machines like this one that still function even when plants are left on the fields

Zero tillage is a method where fields are cultivated without turning over the soil. Experts hope that it will reduce water consumption, fuel costs and soil erosion.

According to WWF estimates most water – about 70 to 80 percent -- gets used – and wasted – in agriculture. One aspect you might not have thought about is ploughing. Today, most fields are ploughed. Farmers in temperate latitudes invented the plough to fight weeds.

But some experts say ploughing actually wastes water in dry areas through evaporation and leads to more soil erosion. And modern ploughing also uses up a lot of petrol. That’s why some agricultural researchers these days are advocating what’s known as „zero tillage“, meaning farming without turning over the fields.

But a better yield and less water consumption doesn’t mean the method’s a panacea.

Report: Gabor Paal/ Kateri Jochum