Programs to promote adoption of conservation tillage: A Serbian case study

Conservation tillage holds the promise of protecting soil and improving water quality, while also reducing the cost of producing crops. Conservation tillage practices such as no-till and reduced tillage (using lighter tillage tools) have been available for many years, but adoption in Europe has been very slow. Promotion of new technologies and the diffusion of agricultural innovations require a commitment of the part of government, farmers, agribusinesses, extension advisory services, and university researchers. The adoption of conservation tillage in Serbia is used as an example of how this type of partnership can be initiated. The current status of conservation tillage adoption in Serbia and the European Union and the role of government policy in future adoption are discussed.