Conservation agriculture (CA) improves resource use through an integrated management approach. It contributes to sustainable production and its advantages include lower inputs, stable yields and improved soil nutrient exchange. CA is also generally more profitable than other conservation technologies.

In addition to financial factors, CA-adoption models identify other significant factors relating to management objectives, stewardship motives and fundamental constraints. The collective dimension is sometimes critical to success.

Policy is important to CA adoption. Successful policies require a thorough understanding of farm-level conditions and site-specific programmes that utilize various policy tools. More uniform policies could help develop social capital and promote conditions for collective action.

Developing sustainability indicators that evidence the benefits of CA can help meet the need for improved analysis and information. A whole-farm approach may be the most appropriate basis for financial analyses as it can capture the full range of farmers' responses and incorporate the options available.