Conventional tillage systems are generally based on soil inversion using a mouldboard or disc plough, followed by various passes with a disc harrow to level the soil surface, control weeds and prepare a seedbed. This practice disturbs the soil and may cause surface compaction and a loss of soil structure leading to erosion and other types of degradation, thus becoming a great impediment to achieving sustainable agriculture and food security, the two most important priorities of FAO. 

In contrast, systems of conservation tillage limit, change or eliminate tillage operations and reduce soil damage, as they cause less or no soil disturbance, and leave a cover of crop residues to protect the soil from wind and water erosion. Conservation tillage therefore has an enormous potential for contributing to sustainable food production on a global scale at relatively low cost. 

FAO supports the reduction of conventional tillage practices, and promotes conservation tillage and improved soil management to try and overcome the obstacles that impede the wide adoption of conservation tillage methods. FAO also supports the formulation of a code of conduct to support the adoption of environmentally acceptable conservation tillage practices, approved by a consensus of governments. The adoption of this code of conduct could help formulate regulations leading to legislation for soil conservation, standards and procedures for the inspection of tillage practices, training programmes for conservation tillage equipment operators, warning systems and restrictions on the use and sale of inadequate equipment that causes soil degradation problems. 

José Benites and Theodor Friedrich