How can you find the most efficient tools for soil conservation in sustainable agriculture practices?

In the permacultural approach, soils are considered as a resource, not only to be protected, but also to be "created", insofar as one can quite "produce" fertile soil. The maintenance and even improvement of soil fertility are therefore parameters to be planned and integrated into cultivation activities, from the development phases of the project. We therefore start from the initial soil condition, and from the global study of the site and its environment, in order to develop a conservation and fertility improvement strategy adapted to the context, following the principle of "one element performs several functions and one function is performed by several elements". The choice of crops comes only after, as a result of this preliminary study.

Consider researching various approaches to sustainable agriculture, as they offer a range of benefits and trade-offs. Researching these approaches can inform the selection of tools, methods, and technologies, many of which are well-documented in farming manuals. Some notable approaches and techniques include: Organic Farming: Utilizes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Syntropic Farming: Implements natural succession and stratification techniques. Conservation Tillage Farming: Embraces practices such as Strip-Tillage, Zero-Till, and Mulch-Till.

In tropical permaculture and agroforestry, especially on slopes, finding efficient tools for soil conservation involves a blend of traditional knowledge and innovative practices. One of the most effective approaches is the use of contour planting and terracing, which follow the natural curves of the landscape to minimize erosion and runoff. Additionally, incorporating vetiver grass systems can be transformative. Vetiver's deep root systems stabilize slopes and reduce soil erosion significantly. Another tool is banana tree mulching, which not only conserves moisture but also improves soil structure and adds organic matter. We are integrating those sustainable techniques at PerrineKope farm on the Danyi plateau, Togo.

Consider soil as a living ecosystem and recognizing that all the organisms that make the soil their home, play important roles in producing a fertile healthy environment. Holistic preventative maintenance of soil not only by mechanical means but also by facilitating the growth of organisms in soil that maintain the nutrition levels, aeration and soil water capillaries is important. Mindlessly copying result-based approaches without analysing the underlying processes and their compatibility to a particular geography should be avoided at all costs. Furthermore, being mindful of chemicals we introduce to the soil ecosystem, their interactions as well as compatibility with the biotic and abiotic soil factors will have to be considered.