Profitability and opportunity of conservation agriculture in acid savannah grasslands of Laos

Conservation agriculture (CA) offers a viable alternative to conventional tillage-based systems for enhancing soil productivity and profitability in the acid savannah grasslands of Laos, particularly around the UNESCO World Heritage Site Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang – Plain of Jars. A three-year study comparing CA with conventional tillage (CT) across different fertilization levels found that CA systems achieved similar or higher grain production and profits while also improving labor productivity and opportunities for livestock system intensification, regardless of fertilization intensity. These findings suggest that CA could contribute to sustainable smallholder agriculture in the region if supported by institutional transformations, such as local manufacturing and trade partnerships for no-till implements, long-term research initiatives, and technical mentoring for farmers. The integration of ecosystem services into agricultural policy may further strengthen this transition.

Lienhard, P., Panyasiri, K., Sayphoummie, S., Leudphanane, B., Lestrelin, G., Séguy, L., & Tivet, F. (2013). Profitability and opportunity of conservation agriculture in acid savannah grasslands of Laos. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 12(4), 391–406. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2013.806419