1. Home
 / Modified aug 1, 2019 3:27 p.m.

Episode 193: Going global with farming methods

The challenges in transplanting a popular farming method around the globe.

AZSCI 193 Farming Method Farmers planting crops in a conservation agriculture project in East Africa.
United Church

The Research Corporation for Science Advancement
Arizona Science

Going global with farming methods

This episode is supported by the The Research Corporation for Science Advancement.
NPR
Episode 193: University of Arizona agriculture scientist,, Jeff Michler

A University of Arizona agriculture scientist is trying to find out why a popular way to grow crops in the United States is not as effective in a part of the world where it is needed most. Jeff Michler is studying conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe. It is a technique that calls for farmers to use mulch and other remains from a previous year's harvest to feed the soil. The method has worked in North America and Brazil for 30 years. But Michler says its ineffectiveness in some sub-Saharan nations in Africa is a mystery.

Jeff Michler spoke with Tim Swindle, Director of the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.

Arizona Science
Catch Arizona Science each Friday during Science Friday on NPR 89.1. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Science.
MORE: Arizona Science
By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona