Strategy for The Transition Towards Conservation Agriculture Practices in Rice Cultivation Systems in Cuba

Abstract

Calixto Dominguez Vento, Alexander Miranda Caballero, Guillermo Diaz Lopez

Cuban agriculture to achieve the sustainability of agricultural systems needs to initiate a transition process towards conserva- tion agriculture practices, which implies a change in production systems and the technologies they use. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered a staple food for more than half of the world's popula- tion. However, the adverse effects of climate change, together with soil degradation and the scarcity of irrigation water threaten the sustainability of rice production under irrigated conditions [1, 2]. Intensive tillage practices have been shown to increase environ- mental pollution, deteriorate the soil and involve high water con- sumption [3, 4].

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