Professional Documents
Culture Documents
contents
Introduction Our partners Fusion farming 3 4 5 6
Part one
Soil, cover crops, bed preparation & crop rotation
Part two
Water management
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Part three
Pesticides & crop protection
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Part four
Pests & diseases: Aphids, mites, white flies, boll worms, blight & antracnose.
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Part five
Plant stress, are your crops tired?
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Part six
The harvest & record keeping
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Part seven
The organic goodies
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Part eight
Sanitation & health
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Jambo...
Our daily lives are intertwined around food and water but access to these fundamental man human rights continues to be a challenge for the majority of citizens in East and Sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, we have created a dependency on international food affecting more than 14 million people in the Horn of Africa. Simultaneously, current global food production is insufficient to provide an alternative to international food aid and global food prices continue to increase. The world needs to grow more food! The solution exists in the fertile earth of East and Sub-Saharan Africa with the potential not only to feed itself but the world. Developing the agriculture sector is essential to the continual establishment of peace and security in the region. Kofi Annan stated during the 2010 World Food Conference, "improving the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of smallholder farming is the main pathway out of poverty in using agriculture for development." The team working behind the scenes at the Backpack Farm Agriculture Program (BPF) enthusiastically agrees. The BPF program provides not just biological farming supplements and training but a complete 5 phase program ensuring smallholder farmers to increase their harvests and improve their qualities of life. In combination, it is possible to achieve sustainable linkages in food production, value chains, credible finance, income generation, social and ecological domains. We are committed to supporting smallholder farmers with innovative, green agri-tech, training and extension services to enhance both the quality and quantity of agriculture production during an annual growing season, to mirror semi-commercial rates of production. Our New Campaign, Kuza (Cultivate / Grow in Swahili) is committed to finding farming solutions to growing food, communities and children in Africas rural agriculture communities. The first step to alleviating hunger and accomplishing global food security is to share information. We hope by sharing this agriculture (TOT) training manual, we will inspire other organization whether non profit, academic, donor funded or commercial social enterprise to connect with each other and incubate sustainable and scalable production models to leverage Africas most underutilized resources, its farmers! I and my team look forward to sharing ideas and incubating new solutions to feed the world!
Our partners
The Backpack Farm's partners are all leading technical experts in the Kenya agriculture and manufacturing sectors representing the project teams commitment to investing in local capacity and social enterprise "to make money doing good." Irrico International Ltd. (www.irricointernational.com). Founded in 2002 by Mr. Bilu Vadera, a Kenyan owned and operated firm specializing in water technologies. The organization currently operates in seven (7) African countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique and South Sudan. The Irrico team incubates, designs, implements and monitors a variety of unique water-based platforms, including commercial irrigation systems, water distribution facilities and land-based irrigation schemes, leveraging a unique understanding and respect for both blue and green water management systems.
Lachlan Kenya Limited (www.griculture.co.ke). Founded in 2001, Lachlan actively educates and encourages environmentally intelligent farming that meets and exceeds competitive expectations. The Lachlan team is actively supporting commercial agricultural projects in nine (9) countries in Africa, including Ethiopia, Burundi, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Sandstorm Kenya (www.sandstormkenya.com). Sandstorm Kenya originally established in Nairobi to make luxury tents for East Africa's leading safari camps. Their reputation has grown both in Kenya and overseas as has their range of products. Sandstorm Kenya designed and is responsible for the production of each backpack. Sandstorm Kenya is a Kenyan registered and managed firm. Their employment policies ensure recruitment based on skill, but actively and positively discriminate in favour of local women ensuring a trickle-down local enterprise.
AgriQ Quest Ltd. (www.agriq-quest.com) is part of AgriQ, a global network of Independent Laboratories formed by a joint venture between two leading Dutch research and assessment organizations of Food Quality and Safety - TNO and BLGG. Both organizations have over 80 years of experience. AgriQ Quest Ltd offers high end residue analyses in Kenya and East Africa to support expert production of vegetables and fruits geared for export to Europe. They support a new high quality pesticide residue laboratory in Nairobi and is now in the process of accreditation. The AgriQ laboratory also covers a wide range of Environmental tests demanded by NEMA, is working for International Research Projects to eliminate Malaria and covers a wide range of soil, water and plant tests for nutrients and microbiology.
fusion farming
Backpack Farm (BPF) partner Lachlan Kenya Limited actively educates and encourages environmentally intelligent farming that meets and exceeds competitive expectations. We at BPF use their fusion farming concept taking the best of synthetic chemical and bagged fertilizer products combining their application with superior organic products and holistic farming methods. This holistic fusion of seed treatment and foliar application enables sustainable, environmentally friendly farming increasing smallholder crop yields and crop quality at reduced cost while increasing economic yields in adverse conditions while ensuring ecological viability for future generations. Principals of Fusion Farming 1. Seed dressing using Phosphorous, Humic acid and trace elements like Zinc. 2. Reduce basal bagged fertilizer, mixed with Humic acid. 3. Stabilized NH2 Nitrogen with Nitrogen fixation 4. Soil-bio and plant stimulation 5. Foliar applications of P, K + other elements; application(s) determined by soil/moisture conditions, driving and crop yield potential 6. Reduced Disease and Insect pressure with specialized nutrition and biologicals/botanicals inputs. Stage 1 ensures fertility and seed germination with a unique combination of seed dressing and eco-friendly fertilizers. Seed dressing includes Phosphorous, potassium, trace elements like Zinc, Biostimulants (Vitazyme) and Trichoderma. Together, they reduce DAP requirement ; the fertilizer being both heavy, expensive and counter-productive to long term soil fertility. Twinn N replaces Nitrogen Nitrate with stabilized NH3 and supplement up to 50% N requirement by Nitrogen fixation reducing CAN rates.
part one
To be able to grow strong crops, it is important to keep your soil fertile and make sure soil is healthy. There are easy ways to sustaining your soil and keeping it healthy. By taking soil samples to examine, crop rotate, green manure and cover crops strong fertilizers are not always needed and organic ways such as compost and manure will ensure your soil is just as healthy as if you where using fertilizers. LEARNING ABOUT SOIL
To farm sustainably do not only grow crops, grow fertile soil that has the nutrients plants need. Take a soil sample and examine. Look closely for differences in color, texture, structure, smell and the presence / absence of worms and insects. Soil that has good texture, structure and fetrility allows air, water, nutrients and plant roots to move through it, this improves the soils ability to grow crops and resist erosion. Perhaps taste the soil to compare pH (sweet / sour) Take a small amount in the hand and mix with water. Is it sticky, rough, smooth or falls apart? Discuss which of these differences may have been caused naturally by wind and weather or by how the land was used.
CROP SPACING
CROP Tomato Onion Melons Courgettes Cucumber Green Leafy Vegetables (Cabbage, Kale, Sukuma Wiki) Maize Beans Potatoes Sorghum 30cm x 75 cm 20 cm x 30 cm 30 cm x 50 cm 30 cm x 90 cm SPACING 30cm -60cm x 60cm 8cm - 12cm x 20cm 60 - 100cm x 150cm - 200cm 100cm x 100cm 30 - 60cm x 50cm - 60cm 40cm x 40cm
THE MODEL
PRIMARY CROP Onion Melons Courgettes Cucumber Green Leafy Vegetables (Cabbage, Kale, Sukuma) Maize Beans Potatoes Sorghum Tomato ROTATED CROP Green leafy vegetables Beans Sorghum Pigeon peas Maize/sorghum TECHNICAL JUSTIFICATION Disease control Nitrogen fixing Disease control Disease control/ nitrogen fixation For disease control
Nitrogen fixation To make use of nitrogen from bean Nitrogen fixation Nitrogen fixation Disease control
CROP HUSBANDRY
Irrigation and fertigation. Daily irrigation recommended. Several intervals in the day. Media & crop age dependent. Young Plant would require 0.25litres/day. Mature plant would require 250mls/day. (250mls x 550plants = 140lits) 9
Irrigate 2 times/day of 15minutes each time. Total = 30mins/day Remember dripper rate 0.5mins/Hr. Avoid over-irrigation
BED DESIGN
Acre is 1,000 SQM Width: 1m wide with 1/2m path. Height: 15- 20cm high. Beds should be oriented to follow the same direction as wind to avoid lodging of crops.
70cm 15 - 20 cm 30 - 50 cm
STARTING UP
Double Dig Some crops require direct sowing in the main field other require sowing in nursery before being transplanted Crops that go directly to the field include; beans, maize, sorghum, peas, green grams, carrots etc. Crops that require a nursery include; tomatoes, passion, spinach etc. Double digging to a fine tilth is required. Plant crops in the shade of trees to protect crops and soil from drying out. Some trees bring water up from deep in the ground for shallow rooted plants to use. Apply compost / fertilizer and incorporate it into the soil to fine tilth. Fresh manure not suitable for crops, May burn crop. Application should be 1ton/120sq M. Initial irrigation: Irrigate the plot until you achieve a full wetted strip along the drip line. It is especially important in light soils. Plant or sow in wet soil. Irrigate the plot after planting/sowing (young plants/seeds are very sensitive to dry soil). Short irrigation intervals (6times/day) of 10 mins for 1-2 wks. Lengthen intervals to allow for deep rooting. During the rainy season it is very important to continue with the irrigation. If the rainfall is effective (not just a drizzle) start irrigating 1 day after the rain has stopped (it is recommended especially in light soils).
BENEFITS
They cover the soil, protecting it from erosion and helping it hold water. They add organic matter to the soil, making it more fertile. After using green manures for several years, the soil becomes easier to work. There are no costs for labor or transport because green manures grow right in the field where they are used. Cover crops can attract beneficial insects. Many cover crops can suppress weed growth by altering light and temperature, and create a barrier for emerging weed seedlings. Planted with other crops, they control weeds and insects. When trees are used as green manure it can provide firewood. MANY provide food or fodder for animals!
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CAUTION
Too Much fertilizer can burn the crop. If chemical fertilizers are used it is very important to add natural fertilizers along with them. Do not apply fertilizers close to the plant stem. Incorporate into the soil Too much animal manure can burn the crop. Too much animal manure will cause too many nutrients to build up in the soil and can pollute waterways. Fresh manure carries germs that can cause illness, do not place fresh manure near drainage ditches or waterways and always wash hands after handling manure. Too Much water can starve the plants of oxygen. Root airs die and nutrients uptake strained.
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part two
water management
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Water is one of the prime elements responsible for life on earth, with out water we can not live. Water circulates through the human body just as it does through land, transporting, dissolving nutrients and organic matter. In developing countries where water is a scares source, it is of extremely important matter that each drop of water obtained is used to its full capacity. Where it be for human use or crops, there are ways of using your water sources in a sustainable way. By harvesting rainwater and with the use of drip irrigation lives of many people have changed for the better and that number will increase with the help of education and knowledge of the procedure. DRIP IRRIGATION HOW DOES IT WORK?
Drip irrigation is a method which allows you to irrigate and fertigate your plants in the most water sufficeint way. Through a network as shown, right, the system lets water drip slowly to the roots of the plants, either on the soil surface or directly on the root zone. Gravity Fed Irrigation 0.5-0.6lit/hr 700 m2 8mm commercial hydrogoal with drippers Simple installation & maintenance
MAINTENANCE OF TANK
If your decide to use drip irrigation, you will have to maintain your tank and look after you system. Clean water tank of all sediments and residues & fill to top. Connect the system and leave distribution pipe and laterals ends open! Clean (Flush) the filter daily (Demonstrate). Flush the drip lines on weekly basis: Open the main valve to flush distribution pipe for 5-10 minutes (until clear water flows out!). Fold pipes end and tie it up.
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GREEN WATER
Green water is the rainfall that infiltrates and remains in the soil, this is the largest freshwater resource and basis for rain-fed agriculture. With a change of focus from the down stream blue water to upstream green water, this will provide opportunities to produce more food per drop of water. It is critical for plant growth to maintain a water balance and absorbing water through roots. By focusing on green water both directly for food production and indirectly to support ecosystem services, water productivity will be improved. It is necessary to improve crop production with less water, this is done by reducing evaporation and increasing transpiration.
GREY WATER
Grey water is wastewater thats has been used washing clothes and other household chores, but do not contain human waste or bleach and strong toxics. This water can provide irrigation for your food crops, with only simple treatment. One way to use your grey water is to construct a wetland, the greywater is filtered through layers of plants, soil and rocks. Grey water contains nutrients which feed the plants and the plants add oxygen to the water which helps clean it.
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RAINWATER HARVESTING
A key to upgrading smallholder farming systems in Kenya is harvesting and storing rainwater. 95% of Sub-Saharan Africas agriculture is rain fed.
GROUND CATCHMENTS
Can collect surface runoff and rainwater. To make a simple catchment, dig a depression into the ground the press (COMPACT) the earth or line it with clay, tile, concrete or plastic sheeting. Water from ground catchments must be cleaned before drinking.
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Bananas Beans
450 66000
35 0.25
Cabbage Maize
6.0 - 6.5
0.45 x 0.50
44000
800 - 2000 Short 0 - 1000 Medium 1000 - 1800 Long 1800 - 2400 0 - 1900 500 - 2000 1800 - 2300
380 - 500
0.35
5.0 - 7.0
0.75 x 0.30
18000
90 - 150
600 - 900
Fresh 65 - 100 350 - 550 Dry 85 - 120 120 - 150 100 - 150 90 - 140 Plus 35 in nursery 80 - 110 600 - 900 500 - 700 400 - 600
Water Melon
5.8 - 7.2
1.0 x 1.5
2600
0 - 1000
400 - 600
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WATER RESERVOIRS
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part three
pesticides & crop protection
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CROP PROTECTION
INSECTICIDES Chemicals that control insects MITICIDES Agro-chemicals that control plant ticks (Mites)
Spray application & timing, maintenance of sprayer Pesticides not only poison people and pests but also harm parts of the environment. Human beings just like insects and mites have a central nervous system. Observe safety when handling pesticides: Wear correct PPE (Personal protective equipment) Pesticides poison the soil killing insects, worms, fungi and bacteria which create nutrients that keep soil alive & fertile. Pesticides poison water when they run off into streams. They kill fish and harm animals and people that drink the water. Pesticides poison air when they drift in the wind. Pesticides can travel many miles from where they are used. Children should be kept away from pesticides Do not let children play with, use or touch old pesticide containers. Do not let children play with farm equipment that is used to spray pesticides Do not let children enter or play in recently treated fields. There are things you as an adult can do to protect your children Wash work clothes, shoes and your hands before entering the house and before touching children Wash fruits and vegetables very well before anyone eats them Avoid the use of pesticides at home, especially indoors. Store pesticide containers and equipment out of children's reach
RESISTANCE TO PESTICIDES
Not every pest is killed by a pesticide and new generations become resistant to chemicals, more and more pests are born with resistance. Which leads to a whole new population of resistant pests that can no longer be killed with the same chemicals. Stronger chemicals are then needed each season increasing the amount of poison we use in the environment. Farmers also have to spend more money on new pesticide each new season. Methods of ensuring that there is no resistance Crop rotation Proper use of pesticides
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THE SPRAYER
A good ad safe way to apply pesticides is to use a sprayer which is portable, held pressure and operated by a lever. Top quality materials resistant to all treatment products. Machine reversible either for right or left handed people.
SPRAYING
Correct nozzle choice. Adjust nozzle to get fine droplets. Keep nozzle 20-30cm away from the target to get best fine droplets and to control drift. Spray in the cool of the day. Avoid spraying when sunny & windy. Drift may lead pesticide off target and may compromise spray operative safety. Avoid pesticide overuse by using exact amounts of products (as re-packaged in each Backpack Farm) Know and identify the target pest clearly in order to ensure proper coverage and achieve best results. Direct the spray where to reach the target pest e.g. Underside of leave (Mites. whiteflies), flowers (Thrips), young shoots and stems (Aphids) flower buds and fruits (Caterpillars)
MAINTENANCE OF SPRAYER
Keep children & unauthorized people out of spraying area The sprayer should not to be used for drinking or storing water. Use water screens provided. After each working day, its very important to clean the sprayer carefully. Wash the filters with clean water.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Always use Gloves, Mask & Sprayer Protective clothing may be uncomfortable, but it can save your life. To make wearing protective clothes more comfortable spray early in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is not so hot.
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STORING CHEMICALS
Chemicals should be stored in a safe, dry place. Observe pesticide shelf life. Pesticides often left for a long time cause containers to leak killing animals, children and contaminating soil. Keep chemicals in their original containers not in water bottles, buckets or feed sacks! Label pesticide containers with: DANGER! Transport carefully NEVER use for drinking, washing or storing food Containers should be stored for recycling and never be reused!
PRE-HARVEST INTERVAL This is the amount of pesticide traces that are allowed present in harvested fresh produce. Above certain levels they may pose danger to consumers.
PHI
MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVEL 1. Once spray is done, harvest should not BE started until the period that is shown on the label elapses. 2.Harvesting before the PHI is over is a risk and can cause food poisoning
MRL
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KU
part four
pests soil, cover & diseases crops, bed preparation & crop rotation aphids, mites, white flies, boll worms, blight & anthracnose
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Farmers all around the world daily encounter pest and plant disease. Although the first thought might be pesticides and chemicals, it is important to know what pest/plant disease that has infested your crop and what treatment is correct. Strong chemicals are not always needed and the best way to prevent and manage pest/disease is to keep crops, pests, weeds and soil life in balance. MANAGING PESTS AND PLANT DISEASES
Pests, plant diseases and weeds can be a serious threat to crops.. Sustainable farming works with nature to keep crops, pests, weeds and soil life in balance. Natural pest management prevents problems with pests and plant diseases and keeps harmful chemicals out of our bodies. Natural pest management also avoids problems of chemical dependence and pesticide resistance. Before you think about using pesticides, It is important to know if the pests are harming your crops, how much damage is being done and whether creatures in the fields are already controlling the pest. Once this is done, you can decide if and when to use chemicals and what kind to use. Best way to prevent and control pests and diseases Make sure plants and soil are healthy, healthy soil attracts and provides a home to friendly insects who help prevent many plant diseases. Plant crops you know are resistant to common pests and diseases Make sure you plant your crops with the right space measurements, planting crops to close limits the sunshine and air that reaches the leaves, which allows diseases to thrive. Planting crops to far apart leaves room for weeds, dries the soil and may reduce the harvest. Plant a variety of crops and change crop patterns. Large areas with only 1 kind of plant attract pests who like that plant. Water from below using drip irrigation, watering from above can cause diseases that live in soil to splash onto plants.
BENEFICIAL INSECTS
Not all dudus (insects) are pests! Bees pollinate plants and make honey. Ladybugs attack insects (Aphids) that damage crops. Lacebugs attack insects (Aphids) that damage crops. Worms are important for healthy soils. Watch the insects in you field to determine whether or not the friendly. One way to find out if they are friendly, is to collect them in a container together with plant parts, and watch them for a few days
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APHIDS DAMAGE
Both adults and nymphs pierce plant tissues to feed on plant sap. Their feeding may cause rolling, twisting or bending of leaves. Heavily attacked leaves can turn yellow and eventually wilt. Aphids feeding on flower buds and fruits may cause malformed flowers and fruits. Aphids excrete a sugary, sticky liquid called honeydew that accumulates on leaves and branches. Sooty moulds (a fungal growth) grow on honeydew deposits turning leaves and branches black. Heavy coating with honeydew and sooty moulds may reduce photosynthesis, affecting plant growth and yield. Black ants are commonly found on plants with aphid infestations. These ants protect the aphids from natural enemies and are therefore considered indirect pests. Ants may even transport aphids from plant to plant. Many species of aphids have been implicated as major vectors of plant viral diseases. Affected plant stages: Seedling stage, vegetative growing stage and flowering stage. Affected plant parts: Growing points, stems, leaves, inflorescences, fruits and whole plant. Symptoms on affected plant part : Curled leaves, abortion of flowers, stunted growth and dieback. Sooty black mould becomes evident in heavy infestations. Black ants are very common in plant with aphid infestations.
MITE DAMAGE
Injury caused as they feed Bruise the cells with their small whip-like mouth parts. Ingest plant sap Damaged area has small light flecks In severe damage leaves become discolored, scorched, have webs and drop prematurely Webbing gives mites and their eggs protection from natural enemies and environmental fluctuations. Mites destructive pest in production of Vegetables especially tomatoes, beans, Ornamentals and the most difficult to control: High reproduction potential Ability to co-exist in overlapping generations High adaptation potential World wide distribution Females lay eggs on under side of leaves Single female can lay over 100 eggs. Eggs hatch to larvae (3 pairs of legs). Larvae develop into nymphs ( 4 pairs of legs) Nymphs finally develop into adults. A single generation may require as much as 26 to 5 days depending on temperatures. The higher the temperature the shorter the cycle. Very active during the warm months.
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Larvae
Day
WHITEFLIES DAMAGE
Whiteflies cause direct damage to plants by sucking plant sap and removing plant nutrients, thereby weakening the plants. Damage may be more severe when plants are under water stress. In addition, they often produce large quantity of honeydew that leads to the growth of sooty mould on the lower leaves, blocking or reducing the photosynthetic capacity of the plants. Infested plants may wilt; turn yellow in colour, become stunted or die when whitefly infestations are severe or of long duration. Whiteflies are also serious indirect pests as vectors of virus diseases. Bemisia tabaci transmits serious virus diseases on cassava, cotton, tobacco, tomato, beans, chillies, and sweet potatoes. Feeding of whiteflies causes yellowing of infested leaves. Whiteflies excrete honeydew, a clear, sugary liquid which covers the lower leaves and supports the growth of black sooty mould, Where plant viruses are transmitted plants show the typical symptoms of the virus diseases. Presence of whiteflies can also be recognized by a cloud of tiny whiteflies flying up when the plants are shaken. The whiteflies resettle soon on the plants.
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PLANT DISEASES
Plant diseases are best prevented through maintaining healthy soils. Plant diseases can be recognized by their effects on plants, such as making leaves change in colour, cause wilt. Plant diseases may be caused by a fungus, a bacteria or a virus. All plant diseases can be treated with natural methods. If plant is diseased destroy it, infected plants can pass diseases or pests to future crops, do not compost it, some plant diseases can survive composting. Clean tools that have been used on diseased plants. Plant diseases can spread when your body, tools and clothing touch healthy plants. Planting ashes together with seeds can prevent some fungus, mixing milk with water can be used to kill fungus diseases, caterpillar eggs and spider mites.
POWDERY MILDEW
Cereals, grasses, vegetables, ornamentals, weeds, shrubs, fruit trees, and forest trees. Notable exceptions include maize, celery and carrots. Infected leaves curl and become distorted. Diseased flowers fail to open and drop from the panicle without fruit forming. Mildew causes skin cracking on fruits that have started to form. The diseased fruit drops. Infected seedlings will eventually die. Mature leaves and fruit are not susceptible to mildew.
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BACTERIAL WILT
Affects Africa Nightshade, Bananas, Eggplant, Groundnut, Peppers, Potato, Tomato All branches wilt at about the same time: causes rapid wilting and death of the entire plant without any yellowing or spotting on leaves. When the stem of a wilted plant is cut across, the pith has a darkened, watersoaked appearance. There is a greyish slimy ooze on pressing the stem. In later stages of the disease, decay of the pith may cause extensive hollowing of the stem. Bacterial wilt causes no spotting of the fruits.
ANTHRACNOSE
Beans, eggplant, peas, pepper and cucumber. Attacks all plant parts at any growth stage. The symptoms are most visible on leaves and ripe fruits on leaves as small and irregular yellow, brown, dark-brown or black spots. The spots can expand and merge to cover the whole affected area. The colour of the infected part darkens as it ages. The disease can also produce cankers on stems.
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KU
part five
soil, cover plant stress, crops, are your bed crops preparation tired? & crop rotation
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CAUSES
Insects Nematodes Diseases Drought Freezing Metal element toxicities Salinity Mineral Deficiency
Increased resistance to insects Increased resistance to nematodes Increased resistance to diseases (Powdery mildew)
In higher plants it polymerises to glass-like platelets Places : cell walls (in and between), and below the cuticle Also laid down in epidermal cells, especially around trichomes and guard cells
SILICON AGRISIL
Increases yield Increases resistance to all stress factors Increases stalk strength Increases shelf life (fruit and flowers)
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KU
partsix part one
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soil,harvest the cover crops, & record bedkeeping preparation & crop rotation
UZ
By recording and documenting your success, looking back and planning your next crop cycle becomes much easier. By documenting previous profits, losses and risks it makes it easier for you to go back and see what benefitted you or what brought you down during the last crop cycles. These documents will encourage you as a farmer, to be able to go back and see your success and know that you can do it again.
Establishing sustainable and scalable value chain should be the final goal in smallholder farming production models, working from the bottom up to impact production as well as social, economic and ecological domains by enhancing the total value chain. Starting in the field to increase the quantity and quality of production whether it may be beans, sweet potato or maize but ideally focusing on growing more nutritionally dense food. Crops must be stored and transported to local and regional markets. Construction of new roads and access to more cost-positive storage technologies are essential to smallholder farmers improving income through to better markets Mobile technologies have the potential to empower the most marginalized farmer with payment tools to both receive and send money. In addition, mobile phoes allow farmers to access ecological and reliable training materials, even market data. The expansion of ICT4D (ICT for Development) will continue to provide tools to enhance rural value chain development.
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Nimepanda viazi tamu za mufirongo na nimepata faida nzuri kuliko alie panda mahindi
Ninafikiria piya kupanda viazi tamu kwa sababu ina soko nzuri.
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KU
part seven
soil, the organic cover crops, goodies bed preparation & crop rotation all the extras we think are important for smallholder farmers learning to be better farmers!
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Working for a sustainable and better life style, it is important for you as a smallscale farmer to take care of the environment and surroundings around you. Just by making healthy compost and saving good seed, this will help and improve your yield during the next crop cycle and sustain good soils. By preserving trees and minimizing devastation of forests in your area you will have a better chance of a healthy life style. As trees preserve water and provide homes for beneficiary insect, prevents soil from erosion, there is unlimited importance to why persevering trees are important. MAKING FAST COMPOST
1. 2. Compost is an organic way to provide nutrients to your soil and provide Encourages infiltration and increases soil retention capacity. Ex: As an example, a 1" compost blanket on a 20 degree slope can completely absorb a 3" per hour rain event without eroding and minimal runoff, even before it becomes vegetated. Loosen soil up to 30 cm helping drainage and allowing worms to enter. If soil is dry, water it. Put 2 sticks ( 2 meters high) in the center. Mark lines on post: - 20 cm from ground - Then 5 cm - Then 2 cm - REPEAT design Make pile of food and plant waste covering entire area. Put a layer of animal manure up to next line (5 cm mark). Add layer of soil on top of manure (2 cm mark). Continue to build layers adding water to each layer Build pile to height (UP TO) 2 meters After 2 5 days remove sticks. Leaving holes for air. After 3 weeks, turn and mix the pile with shovel and repeat 1 x week. After 1 month, you will have sweet smelling, dark, fertile soil
3. 4. 5. 6.
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COMPOST TEA
Not for drinking Compost tea is a liquid extraction of organic compost materials. Wrap compost in a piece of cloth and tie it up. Put the cloth in a bucket of water for 7 to 14 days. When the water turns brown, take the cloth sack out. Spread the leftover compost in your field. Only use on crops to be harvested soon(2-4 weeks) Spray or sprinkle the compost tea on the leaves of your plants. WASH hands after use. Other materials can be added to change the soil pH and add nutrients to the soil. Limestone, wood ash and ground seashells make soil less acidic. Ground up animal bones also add phosphorous and the wood ash adds potassium. Dried leaves and pine needles make soils more acidic. Molasses can that has rotten for at least a year and coffee pulp that is ground and dried add nutrients to the soil, turning crop waste into fertilizer.
Trees, crops and soil interact mutually for a healthy and vibrant land. In agro forestry trees and crops are selected in a way that ensures the whole system, apart from improving soils, agro forestry is a key component in conservation. During floods, important nutrients can be carried away. But trees ensure that they don't get washed away with their root system. A hill with no trees is like a house with no roof. Trees preserves water in the ground and prevents soil from erosion Trees also provide shade for plants grown beneath Trees help prevent flooding, the rainwater is spread across the ground because of first hitting the tree. If planted correctly with crops, they will not compete for water and nutrients but complement one another. Bees and other insects that live in trees pollinate crops and help the production of healthy flower and fruit, where as bats and birds that live in the trees, eat mosquitoes that spread malaria, yellow fever and other diseases. Forests have important effect on the weather and climate, they help make weather less extreme by making warm air cooler and wetter and making cold air warmer and drier. Forests and trees protect water sources, they filter the water when pesticides, heavy metals and other toxic chemicals pollute surface water and groundwater. It is often women and children who carry the burden of collecting and carrying wood for fuel, this can in the long run lead to health issues. As forests and trees are cut down, the distance increases. This gives them less time to do other necessary work and to go school. By planting and maintaining good firewood trees close to home, the people collecting wood, can stay save and healthy. Areas where it is necessary to cut down trees in order to get room to plant, it is important to preserve and save as many trees possible.
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Wet Application-Liquid spray Liquid spray that is referred to as a "cornmeal juice. The juice is made by soaking one cup of cornmeal in one gallon of water. The mixture must soak for at least 24 hours, after which the liquid is drained off of the wet cornmeal. It can then be used as a spray on plants. The spray can be used as a fungicide for any type of plant that is prone to contracting some type of fungal disease. Both the liquid and dry forms of cornmeal can be used on vegetables at any type during the growing season.
STORING SEEDS
To judge how long each kind of seed can be stored, think about the conditions they need to grow. Seeds from cold or dry seasons usually can be stored for months or years because they need special conditions to sprout. Seeds from areas that are hot and rainy most of the year will not store well because they can sprout any time. Seeds with hard shells can be stored easily and for longer times than seeds with soft shells. TEST: Put hard coated seeds in a glass of water. The seeds that float will not sprout. Most seeds should be storied in a cool, dry, dark place with some air flowing through them or they will rot.
NO-TILL FARMING
Sometimes called zero tillage. A way of growing crops from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage. Technique can increase the amount of water held in the soil and decrease erosion. It may also increase the amount and variety of microbial life in and on the soil. It may but may not always require increased herbicide usage. Ideal for smallholder, manual farming (non-mechanized) farming models.
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Sustainable Use of forests and trees: Replant after cutting, by doing this you ensure that there will be new trees and seeds to replace the ones that where cut down. Cut only some trees and save young and healthy older trees, to hold soil and provide seed for the future. Advantages of direct seeding: Cost effective as there is no nursery and planting expenses, there is also hardy any transport cost as packet of seed can fit in your pocket No risk of transplanting shock, as there is when moving nursery-raised seedlings that are transplanted. Tree seeds can be planted at the same time as your agricultural crop, which will suppress aggressive weeds and enrich the soil.
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KU
part eight
soil, sanitation cover crops, and health bed preparation & crop rotation
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Many illnesses spread through germs that pass on from one person to another. By keeping your community and home clean, there is a better chance of preventing getting sick. Health and prosperity are link together, if you are not healthy you will not be able to provide for your family or enjoy your daily life. SANITATION IN THE COMMUNITY
Many health problems are best solved in the community, when the community works together everyone benefits. Work together as a group to make sure your water source is kept as clean as possible. Do not let animals go near the water source, and if necessary build a fence to keep them away. Do not bathe or wash your clothes and other things in the water source, collect the water and them wash. DO NOT throw garbage or waste in/close to the water source. Make sure that you and your neighbours get rid of your garbage in a safe way. You can use this manual to create a compost for your community and prevent diseases spread through waste. When planning a latrine, either for the community or personal use, to be safe it should be at least 20 meters from all houses, wells, springs, rivers or streams. If it must be anywhere close to where people go for water, make sure to put the latrine downstream.
MALARIA
Falling sick with malaria can have devastating effects on your families health andalso effect what is going on in your field. If the person who usual looks after the fieldfalls ill, who will look after the crops and make sure the family gets food? Malaria kills millions of people every year and many millions more live with the disease. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is passed on to people through a certain mosquito. This mosquito bites mostly at night, that is why it is so important to sleep with a mosquito net. Children under the age of 5, pregnant women and people living with HIV/AIDS are especially sensitive to malaria.
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Things do discuss
Is the toilet located to far away from the house? Do the women feel safe and comfortable going to the toilet? Is there anyway of washing hand after using the toilet? Do the women feel comfortable when people can see them entering and leaving the toilet?
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Medea Group