Conservation tillage research and development in South Africa

South Africa has a wide range of soils and climates. Extensive studies, especially over the past 25 years, have been conducted into practices and systems which could conserve the soil, water, energy and other resources required for sustainable crop production under various of these soil and climate combinations. Some of the results obtained and ongoing or envisaged work is outlined. It is hypothesised that, given the co-operation and support of international agencies and in co-operation with other African countries, the South African research system, spearheaded by the National Department of Agriculture and its Agricultural Research Council, could play a major role in achieving sustainable national and household food security in the sub-continent.