A balance between the two: Conservation Agriculture try to fix the soil quality or soil health by improving soil functions but mainly the Soil organic matter content. The Conventional agriculture try to produce maximun amount of yield even if that consume half of the organic matter in the soil by too much tilling and not rotating the crops etc. Resume: A balance between both.
Conventional agriculture is characterized by ploughing and limited recycling of organic materials. Organic agriculture uses no pesticides and mineral fertilizer whereas conservation agriculture is characterized by zero tillage, use of mulch and crop rotations. Conservation agriculture is related to conservation of natural resources like water, soil, seed and biodiversity. Sustainable agriculture is a generic term that encompasses a number of farming practices that contribute to sustainability of agricultural systems. Conservation Agriculture is a farming system that can prevent losses of arable land while regenerating degraded lands.
Conventional and conservation agriculture can be seen in the wider consideration of long-term production, soil health, and environmental sustainability. As a comprehensive and sustainable strategy, conservation agriculture emphasizes methods that protect biodiversity, conserve soil, and use resources as efficiently as possible. Although conventional agriculture has long dominated the field, adoption of conservation-oriented approaches has expanded as environmental concerns have come to light. A balanced blend of both strategies, adapted to local conditions, may be the way agriculture develops in the future as we work to meet the world's food need while maintaining our agricultural ecosystems.
The difference between conventional and conservation farming. In the conventional farming system, farmers carry out agricultural cultivation using cultivation methods that they have been accustomed to from generation to generation and are local in nature and usually do not use many modern planting tools such as tractors for cultivating the land and combine harvesters for harvesting tools. Meanwhile in the conservation agriculture system is carrying out agricultural cultivation with the aim of maintaining environmental balance for sustainable agriculture. carrying out an environmentally friendly agricultural cultivation process by using other living creatures as natural enemies in controlling destructive living creatures and using organic waste from plants or animals themselves as a food source.
Conservation agriculture and conventional agriculture are two different approaches to farming that have distinct principles and practices. Here are some key differences between the two:
1. Soil disturbance:
Conservation Agriculture (CA) emphasizes minimal soil disturbance. CA practices include no-till or reduced tillage, which helps to maintain soil structure and reduce erosion.
Conventional Agriculture: Typically, it involves intensive tillage, which can disrupt the soil structure, expose it to erosion, and contribute to soil degradation.
2. Crop Residue Management:
Conservation Agriculture: Encourages the retention of crop residues on the field surface. This helps in moisture retention, erosion control, and the improvement of soil organic matter.
Conventional agriculture often involves removing crop residues through tillage or burning, which can result in loss of organic matter and decreased soil fertility.
3. Crop Rotation and Diversification:
Conservation agriculture promotes diversified cropping systems and crop rotations, which can enhance soil health and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
Conventional agriculture may involve monoculture, where a single crop is grown repeatedly on the same land, potentially leading to increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.
4. Chemical Input Use:
Conservation Agriculture: Advocates for judicious use of agrochemicals, aiming to minimize reliance on synthetic inputs and promote sustainable pest and weed management practices.
Conventional Agriculture: often agriculture relies more heavily on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, which can have environmental and health implications if not used responsibly.
5. Water Management:
Conservation Agriculture: Promotes water conservation practices such as the use of cover crops, reduced tillage, and improved water infiltration, leading to better water use efficiency.
Conventional agriculture May involve less efficient water use due to practices such as extensive tillage and a lack of soil cover.
6. Environmental Impact:
Conservation Agriculture: Aims to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture by promoting sustainable practices that maintain soil health and biodiversity.
Conventional agriculture: This can contribute to environmental issues such as soil erosion, water pollution from runoff, and loss of biodiversity.
7. Economic viability:
Conservation Agriculture: In the long term, CA can lead to improved economic viability by reducing production costs, enhancing soil fertility, and improving resilience to extreme weather events.
Conventional Agriculture: Immediate economic gains may be seen through increased yields, but long-term sustainability and profitability may be compromised.
It's essential to note that the choice between conservation agriculture and conventional agriculture often depends on various factors, including local climate, soil conditions, crop types, and farmer preferences. Some agricultural systems may also integrate elements from both approaches, known as conservation-based conventional agriculture or sustainable intensification.
Simply put, conservation agriculture's goals are to produce food while rehabilitating the soils's biome, water retention, and structure. Conventional agriculture is the production of food with little to no thought for the long term effects this human activity has on the local or downstream ecosystems. Everything else is just extensions of these two opposing and sometimes mutually exclusive agricultural methodologies.
Prem Baboo and Mr. Karan Singh have provided excellent answers to this topic, though there should be some mention of nitrogen fixing and nitrosomonas/nitrobacter cultivation in this process as well. Hence the need for some cultivated wetlands near the farmed area if the soil is unable to hold moisture between irrigation cycles.
Conservation agriculture focuses on sustainable farming practices that aim to protect and improve the environment, soil health, and biodiversity. It typically involves minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and diversified crop rotations. In contrast, conventional agriculture often relies on intensive tillage, heavy chemical inputs, and monoculture cropping, which can lead to soil degradation, erosion, and biodiversity loss. Conservation agriculture tends to promote long-term sustainability and resilience in farming systems, whereas conventional agriculture may prioritize short-term productivity and profit.