Enjoying the benefits of conservation agriculture, the number of farmers adopting this farming system has been continuously increasing from year to year. One of the key principles of conservation agriculture is covering the soil with crop residues and decomposable dry plant materials. However, shortage and sometimes lack of mulch materials keep farmers from expanding farm land size in conservation agriculture. Farmers use crop residues for multiple purposes; to feed livestock during dry period, as fuel sources and as construction materials, for fencing. Understanding the problem, we are introducing farmers with  some cover crops that have multiple benefits  such as; Lab lab bean (Lablab purpureus), Cow pea (Vignaunguiculata L), Pigeon pea (Cajanuscajan), Jack bean (Canavaliabrasilie) and Desmodium (Desmodiumintortum).

Lablab with crop residue(relay cropping system)

Government high level officials visiting cover crops on experience sharing and learning event

These cover crops fix nitrogen to improve soil nutrient, most of them are used as feeds for livestock and food for human and some cover crops like pigeon pea give additional benefits to the farmers; as fire wood and to construct fences around farm.