Conservation tillage (CT) has been adopted in Mexico on less than 500,000 ha (only 3% of the national cropped area), in contrast with Brazil, Argentina, or Paraguay (Derpsh, 1998). Reasons include: - Uncoordinated efforts by the various institutions involved. - Use of top-down, rigid transfer approaches. - Technology not adequately tailored to farmer conditions and constraints. - Limited access to CT drills. - Insufficient training of farmers and technicians. - Virtually no technical assistance for farmers.

Mexico who are facing increased competition from world markets. Conservation tillage (CT) has been promoted as a productivity enhancing and resource conserving technology that benefits grain farmers, but despite its advantages has not been widely adopted. Some information exists on CT adoption rates but the information is incoherent and divergent. This study examines CT adoption among farmers in Guanajuato, Mexico. A diagnostic survey was designed to procure baseline information for a participatory research development program to develop sustainable farming practices based on CT principles.