Conventional agriculture versus conservation agriculture: differences and perspectives

In the Republic of Moldova, a new agricultural system is emerging, based on a new development paradigm that promotes biological processes, maintains permanent soil cover, and rejects soil tillage. Conservation agriculture is globally recognized and accepted by the FAO. However, it is often confused with conservation tillage and is not fully acknowledged. Based on two field experiments - one under conventional agriculture and the other under conservation agriculture - the differences between these two systems are presented, along with their potential to address key issues related to climate change adaptation and soil degradation prevention. Conventional agriculture is viewed as a compromised system that contributes to soil degradation, whereas conservation agriculture is seen as a system with potential for climate change adaptation and halting degradation. Conservation agriculture should only be considered valid when all three principles recognized by global organizations are applied: minimal mechanical soil disturbance (no tillage) by direct placement of seeds and fertilizers; permanent soil cover with plant residues (at least 30%) and/or cover crops; species diversification, through varied crop successions and associations involving at least three different crops.