more than 10ha

To effectively implement Best Practice Harvesting Techniques:

• Step 1: Obtain equipment and supplies needed for the harvest and post-harvest activities, e.g. clean sacks, drying mats, etc.
• Step 2: Allocate drying and threshing areas, ensuring the areas are swept, dry, and there is no/limited access for livestock or rodents. If in a dry climate or season, drying outside is optimal. If necessary, construct drying cribs elevated from the ground with rodent guards on legs can reduce access for rodents.
• Step 3: Allocate sufficient storage space for the harvested crop.
• Step 4: Clear weeds from the farm to prevent weed seeds from contaminating the harvest.
• Step 5: Place the harvested crop directly onto clean mats and bags to avoid contact with the soil, which may lead to moisture uptake and also prevent contamination with tiny Striga.

To effectively implement Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration:

• Step 1: Degraded land needs to be identified and living stumps, roots and seeds need to be encouraged to regrow. This may include periodic watering. Focus should be on indigenous species, and present tree species (existing stumps).
• Step 2: Consider leaving the field un-grazed to promote tree growth.
• Step 3: Select tree stumps and the tallest and straightest stems to grow into trees.
• Step 4: Prune and manage by removing stems and unwanted side branches.
• Step 5: Maintain the process by occasionally pruning side branches.
• Step 6: Manage the land consistently to avoid overgrazing, which can lead to further degradation.
• Step 7: Consider rotational grazing to allow seeds, stumps and underground shrubs to re-grow. This will reduce the cost of replanting. Shrubs and growing trees and saplings need to be protected before introducing livestock. Shrubs and growing trees and saplings need to be protected before introducing livestock.

To effectively implement hedge planting:

• Step 1: Purchase saplings of selected tree species from a local nursery or grow saplings in separate on-farm nursery. If growing on-farm, saplings should be held-up with an upright support bamboo/wooden pole. Ideally, the farmer should begin exploring silvopasture tree species beginning with indigenous trees, such as acacias, and other local trees. It is worth considering a mixture of species, as well as mixed shallower and deeper rooted trees.
• Step 2: Once at a meter or over in height, transplant to pastures, surrounding each individual sapling with a wire mesh cage-tube or insert into five-centimetre diameter PVC pipe to protect from browsers. Plant at least ten to twenty meters apart, in either a random or uniform pattern. This is a matter of preference.
• Step 3: Once saplings are planted, only allow grazing livestock (cows, sheep, ducks, geese, chickens) in the silvopasture, avoiding browsers (goats, etc), which will strip, damage or destroy the saplings.
• Step 4: Once mature and above browsing height, two plus meters, remove protective cage or pipe.
• Step 5: Depending on species, pruning, coppicing etc should be performed every two months to ensure that trees remain healthy and productive, while maximising outputs for in-field and cut and carry fodder.

To effectively implement Boundary Planting practices:

• Step 1: Plant long lines of two fast growing trees, Caesalpinia velutina trees, between a Bombacopsis quinate and a Swietenia humilis to be replaced over time.
• Step 2: Consider planting the boundary trees 1.5 metres apart along pre-existing fences.
• Step 3: Attach metal fencing to the trees to support the large trees without endangering their growth. Harvest fodder when the tree is overgrown.
• Step 4: Prune lower brunches to encourage upward growth of trees and reduce shed on the plants.

To effectively implement SRI practices:

• Step 1: Consider separation of high-quality seeds from low-quality seeds through soaking them in plain or salt water and the unviable seeds will float on the surface of the water.
• Step 2: Plant the seeds on an unflooded, raised bed with adequate drainage and fertile soil.
• Step 3: After 8-12 days, transplant single young seedlings into a grind pattern with wide spacing between hills (25 cm x 25 cm).
• Step 4: During crop growth period, control the flooding and research and follow alternate wetting and drying irrigation practices.
• Step 5: Consider application of compost and mineral fertiliser for nutrient enhancement.
• Step 6: Use a mechanical weeder for the control of weeds and maximisation of soil aeration.

To effectively implement Alternate Wetting and Drying practices:

• Step 1: Alternate wetting and drying should be considered by the farmer after two weeks of rice transplant.
• Step 2: The farmer should consider digging half of 30 cm tube into soil to monitor water level.
• Step 3: When the water level is 15 cm below the soil surface the field should be irrigated again with a depth of 3 to 5 cm before water drains.
• Step 4: This cycle should be repeated until flowering stage to avoid disturbing reproduction because at this stage the crops are sensitive to water stress.

To effectively implement Rainwater Harvesting practices:

• Step 1: Create a water collection zone connected to a gutter system.
• Step 2: Install filters to the water collection zone.
• Step 3: Connect a hose pipe for easy distribution of irrigation water.
• Step 4: If a farmer intends to use water for human consumption other than flushing toilets, etc, water quality must be frequently tested using reliable and low-cost/low-tech solutions.
• Step 5: Use of filters can be considered to reduce particulate and other pollutants but should be thoroughly investigated – as a separate subject – by the extension officer and the farmer, otherwise it could lead to illness. It is recommended that farms utilise harvested rainwater for irrigation and other farming activities only.

To effectively implement Permeable Rock Dam practices, the following steps should be carried out:

• Step 1: Consider constructing a permeable rock dam across relatively wide and shallow valleys.
• Step 2: Permeable rock dams should consist of long, low rock walls with level crest along full length although farmers should consider central spillways where water course has cracks.
• Step 3: The dam should be between 50-300m in length and 1m in height within a gully.
• Step 4: Consider making the dam wall flatter on the downslope side than on the upslope side.
• Step 5: A foundation of small stones should be set in the trench.
• Step 6: An apron of large rocks is essential to split the erosive force of the overflow.
• Step 7: Downstream banks of the water stream should be shielded by stone pitching to prohibit the increase of the gully.

To effectively implement solar irrigation:

• Step 1: To determine the solar pump system Crop water requirements, location, water sources etc. Do required research. Is water sourced from an above ground or below ground source?
• Step 2: Source required materials to implement a solar irrigation system from regional or international suppliers including:
  • Photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate electricity (80-300 W system depending on context);
  • a structure to mount the panels;
  • a pump controller;
  • a surface or submersible water pump; and
  • a distribution system or storage tank for water.
• Step 3: Identify funding sources as initial costs, as well as maintenance costs, must be considered and modelled prior to purchasing a system. There are regional and international solar irrigation producers.   These costs differ dramatically given the complexity of the context, starting at costs approximately USD $2,400 for equipment only. If drilling is necessary the cost increases significantly depending on depth, substrate etc.  Community-based investment, micro-leasing and rental services can be possible funding models to explore.
• Step 4: Determine whether there is sufficient solar irradiation for the proposed area – consult and specialist; and/or the national meteorological service.
• Step 5: Identify area suitable to install solar panels. The area should be easily accessible, and all trees/bush should be cleared. To determine most appropriate site and angle of panels, etc, consult an expert.
• Step 6: The availability of technical expertise must be considered before implementation to ensure that any technical issues do not result in long period of service disruption.

Maintenance costs and expertise should be considered before installing solar irrigation systems. A detailed cost benefit analysis is advisable. Other key technical considerations include: Legal permits to extract water from the source as water extraction may impact community watershed levels.

To effectively undertake leverage traditional seed characteristics, or improved crop varieties  the following should be carried out:

• Step 1: Prior to selecting seed varieties, perform a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) to identify how crops will perform and their benefits compared to the costs of the seed, considering the following:
  • Local  farming system(s): land availability per household, crops traditionally grown, access to inputs such as fertilisers,
  • Local environmental conditions: soil conditions, disease, pests, climatic conditions, occurrence of flooding/droughts and other natural disasters.
  • How climate change has impacted or will impact the farming system and how crop variety selection can be a climate- smart practice.
  • Local access to seeds – is seed collected at the householder level, do neighbours exchange seeds, do farmers have access to commercially produced seeds?  Are the costs for accessing commercial, improved seeds manageable or prohibitive? The CBA should weigh the benefits of a new seed against perceived actual or transactional costs for selecting a new seed.
• Step 2: Obtain information and guidance from local experts, lead farmers, and government regarding best varieties to grow.
• Step 3: Evaluate results of the CBA and select appropriate seeds that match the farm system/requirements, and available financial resources/access to credit.
• Step 4: Plant test plots of selected seeds to understand if benefits are realised and demonstrate outcomes with farmers, showing possible alternatives and discuss implementation.
• Step 5: Following full demonstration and discussion with farmers, implement at farm level – planting the first crop in accordance with guidance provided by seed provider, or traditional knowledge.

Consider in-country seed sources to access different varieties through local extension or research services. When buying seeds ensure that the seeds are adequately dry and look for seed that is certified by a national seed laboratory to ensure that the variety is the highest quality possible. Seeds should be properly stored to avoid high temperatures and humid air to reduce chances of early germination.