Mainstreaming of the conservation agriculture paradigm in Africa.

Abstract This chapter provides a justification for mainstreaming Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Africa. It describes the rationale for total transformation of agriculture that is needed in the future. Mainstreaming CA requires not only nation-wide adoption of the new paradigm of agriculture but also the necessary policy and institutional alignment to ensure that CA maintains its quality and full range of benefits to the farmers and to society. CA is a core component of climate smart agriculture and has been endorsed by the Malabo Declaration and Agenda 2063 for agricultural development. Thus, it is essential that everything possible is done by all stakeholders to support the implementation of Agenda 2063 with CA at its core. The chapter elaborates five major areas of change that are necessary to create the appropriate conditions for mainstreaming CA in Africa.