Conservation agriculture research in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe by the CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE) has generated scientific evidence on the productivity, profitability, and environmental, social and human impacts of conservation agriculture. This research has been used in all target countries to inform policies toward more climate-smart agriculture adaptation interventions.

Farmer adoption of conservation agriculture practices (defined by minimum soil disturbance, maintaining soil cover, and crop diversification through rotations or intercropping) covers more than 627,000 hectares in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, with yield benefits of 30% to 50% (up to 140%) under drought conditions.