Aapresid: a farmers organisation focused soil health and innovation
UN SDGs: 2, 12, 15
Aapresid (Argentine No-till Farmers Association)
Rosario, Argentina
soil health driven by farmers
The Argentine No-till Farmers Association (Aapresid) is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation founded in 1989, in response to the high rate of soil erosion caused by conventional tillage, a paradigm of deterioration. Aapresid encompasses a network of farmers and agronomists who share a common interest in the conservation of soil, their main resource, through the adoption and promotion of an agricultural paradigm based on no-till farming, a paradigm of care, of regeneration, of continuous improvement. Aapresid currently has 1800 members producing and consulting on over 11 million hectares in Argentina, spread across 9 Argentine provinces.
soil health driven by farmers
The Mission Behind The Project
Aapresid’s mission is to promote sustainable food, fibres, and energy production systems through innovation, science, and knowledge networks. Over 30 years ago, we started implementing and promoting a new agricultural paradigm based on no-till farming, an approach that aims to increase productivity without the negative effects inherent to conventional tillage systems. It is a system with different tools, technologies and processes for producing more with less, promoting covered soils, crop rotation, integrated systems, biodiversity and resilience.
We also promote the permanent exchange of knowledge and collaborative intelligence and work between farmers to address concrete problems, we work together with scientists and researchers to develop solutions, knowledge, and adapted technologies, and we involve companies that provide their inputs and services for applied research. Once the results are validated, they are open access, promoted and disseminated for massive adoption.
The sustainable production systems that Aapresid promotes optimise productivity, have a lower environmental impact, and are based on the following pillars:
- no tillage;
- intensification: crops growing in fields as long as possible;
- diversification: smart integration of different crops;
- integrated nutrient management;
- integrated pest management.
soil health driven by farmers
Data Collection
Aapresid report the following benefits:
No-tillage is massively implemented in Argentina’s agriculture, the area under no-tillage in the production of the 6 main extensive crops has increased from 1.4% in 1990-91 to 90% reaching in 2021-22. The other practices promoted by Aapresid as part of sustainable agricultural production systems are also being increasingly adopted across the country: cover crops (4% in 2014-15 to 19% in 2021-22), crop rotation (33% in 2014-15 to 48% in 2021-22), variable application of inputs (6% in 2014-15 to 18% in 2021-22).
The implementation of these good agricultural practices has shown considerable positive consequences in terms of economic and environmental sustainability:
- Argentina is a global leader achieving a 33% reduction in soil loss
- Yields increase by 28%, and are more stable
- Water productivity improves, 25% more grains are produced per mm of water
- Carbon sequestration in soils is doubled
- GHG emissions are reduced because of the reduction in fuel consumption and the variable application of inputs
- Microbiological activity in soils increases, leading to healthier soils and ecosystems
soil health driven by farmers
Financial Impact
The sustainable production systems promoted by Aapresid not only have a lower environmental impact and can be allies against climate change, they also entail economic benefits for farmers. Firstly, there are lower input costs as there is less fuel consumption required, and lower usage of fertilisers and pesticides by implementing an integrated management approach. Secondly, yields are more stable, the crop rotation is longer and sowable area is extended. Lastly, the farmers’ main resource, the soil, is protected thus ensuring productivity can be maintained throughout time.
Innovation, sustainability and soil health
Positive Impacts
Aapresid seeks to fulfil its mission not only by developing sustainable production systems, but also by promoting a path of innovation in networks. This path starts with groups of farmers in the same region coming together to share experiences, problems and potential solutions. Nowadays, Aapresid has 40 Regional Groups across several provinces in the country, as well as 3 in other countries and continents: Brazil, Venezuela, and Africa.
The next step is bringing together the empirical knowledge of farmers with the expertise of scientists, to experiment and develop solutions in real production scenarios. Aapresid has over 900 farmers leading R&D projects in their own farms, on over 20 different topics. One of the main challenges of no-till systems is the emergence of resistant weeds, pests and insects. In this sense, Aapresid has a specific team focused on tracking and alerting about emerging resistances, developing up to date maps on local pests, and disseminating integrated management practices. Traceability and accountability are increasingly important in addition to implementing sustainable agricultural practices.
The following step in the innovation path promoted by Aapresid is to certify the production of quality raw materials meeting sustainability standards. In this sense, Aapresid offers nationally and internationally recognized sustainable certification seals such as ASC (Certified Sustainable Agriculture) and MVC (Certified Green Municipality).
Lastly, sharing information, continuous learning and anticipating future challenges are at the core of Aapresid. With this perspective, Aapresid has a monthly technical publication, a weekly streaming program to advise farmers on campaign decisions, as well as an Annual Congress to share the latest technological developments in agriculture.
How to put learnings into action
The principles of conservation agriculture can be applied in all types of environments, with varying combinations of precipitations, temperatures and soil type. The crucial point is to adapt the techniques to local conditions, with the direct involvement and leadership of farmers. Another very important consideration is time. The minimum span of years to start seeing the results of the processes triggered by these production systems is 5 years. All in all, based on the past 30 years of experience, effective and sustainable changes take place from the bottom-up, involving farmers, who have expert empirical knowledge of the land they work, with a view of continuous learning and improvement.
María Cecilia Ginés
Consultant
Find out more
Aapresid aims to share knowledge and experiences beyond Argentina, which is why an important focus of the organisation is the expansion and generation of international linkages. Exchanging with organisations working on common topics in other latitudes enhances collaboration, promotes opportunities to learn from each other, and is key to scaling sustainable agriculture and soil health all over the world.
For more information, you find visit the website or contact the Aapresid team.
gines@aapresid.org.ar
Invest in Soil Case Studies
There is significant discussion about the importance of soil, but a lack of knowledge sharing of projects which have had a significant impact. The purpose of this project is to raise awareness of the importance of soil internationally, and across all sectors, showcasing the positive impact which good soil management has.