Pasture cropping for sustainable agricultural production in African drylands

Abstract

This literature review examines the potential of pasture cropping as a sustainable agricultural method in African drylands. Pasture cropping is an Australia developed agro-pastoral system that combines annual crop cultivation with perennial pastures, minimal soil disturbance and sustainable grazing. It improves soil health, water use efficiency and ecosystem resilience, and increases profitability through multiple sources of income and decreased input costs. Pasture cropping could be a way to improve agricultural sustainability which is fundamental for food security and poverty reduction, and can help in achieving the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. In this review I analyze the methods, benefits and challenges of pasture cropping and explore the applicability to the environmental and socio-economic conditions of the African drylands. While pasture cropping shows promise for improving agricultural productivity and sustainability in the African drylands, significant adaptations and further research are needed to tailor the system to local conditions. Key areas that need to be considered include climate adaptation, local adaptation, species selection, socio-economic constraints, economic viability for smallholder farmers and adaptation of the planting schedules to match the rainfall patterns. To realize the full potential of pasture cropping in African drylands a collaborative approach is needed that involves farmers, researchers, policymakers, governments and institutions.