During the coming decades, conservation agriculture technologies will be critically
important in improving the productivity and sustainability of agroecosystems in
developing countries. The DMC initiative features a bottom-up process of learning and
synthesis regarding conservation agriculture practices. By analyzing and comparing
experiences from decentralized initiatives, by synthesizing and systematizing lessons
learned, and by identifying and filling gaps, DMC practices can be harnessed by a wider
range of stakeholders. The objective of the initiative is to document case studies,
synthesize across cases, identify gaps in knowledge, foster research to fill these gaps,
help with institutional strengthening, and foster the multiplication of successful
experiences. Early facilitators of the process of building the DMC initiative came from
CIRAD and CIMMYT. Numerous additional stakeholders have come on board.
Activities on the agreed agenda only await the final appointment of a DMC Facilitator
with a modest budget for catalytic activities. As opposed to a centralized program with a
block budget, the DMC initiative is a loose federation of institutions and individuals,
each deeply committed to DMC practices as a way to foster sustainable improvements in
agroecosystem productivity. Members volunteer to take on research questions of
importance with an agreed agenda developed by all stakeholders.