Can you imagine growing crops without ever having to plow a field? That would save you some time and energy, wouldn’t it? The soil would appreciate it too.

Sound impossible? Well, get this: around the world, more than 60 million hectares are currently being cultivated using what’s called “conservation agriculture”.

FAO provides information, advice and technical support for countries that want to introduce or expand conservation agriculture.

Less work, more benefits

In countries where the AIDS epidemic is most severe, women and children often have to do more of the farm work. Conservation agriculture techniques can make it easier and cheaper for them to grow food and provide for their families.

Find out more about what FAO is doing to help deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Conservation agriculture keeps the soil fertile and protects it from sun, rain and wind by using ground cover and leaving the land undisturbed. Underground, thousands of tiny creatures are allowed to do what comes naturally: they burrow, eat, digest, live, breed, die and decompose. All this activity tills the soil so that the farmer doesn't have to.

Protecting and harnessing the power of soil biodiversity is one of the most important benefits of conservation agriculture. In fact, biodiversity is one of the most important areas of FAO’s work. Find out more about biodiversity.

The hard work of millions of creatures below and the steady accumulation of plant matter on top keeps the land fertile. This means farmers can spend less on expensive and environmentally harmful chemical fertilizers.

Wait: there’s more! By protecting the topsoil and reducing fertilizer use, conservation agriculture can help in the fight against global warming. No, we’re not joking. Why not learn more about agriculture and global warming.