Yes

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 drip irrigation:

• Step 1: A reliable water source must be available - natural (natural or through rain-water harvesting).
• Step 2: Acquire a pump system (approximately $US 100) that maintains enough pressure to deliver water through the system or an elevated tank.
• Step 3: Connect lines or hoses and laterals that run from the pump system across the planted fields.
• Step 4: Run lines or hoses with emitters (drippers) or small punctures at the surface level along planted crops or just below the surface providing water to the roots system of the plants.
• Step 5: Once the system is operable, the pump can be turned on and water dispersed as required by the nature of the crop and can also be implemented with supplemental irrigation strategies (Technical Brief 23).
• Step 6: Monitor the irrigation system regularly to ensure there are no malfunctions and the system is maintained. Crops that receive regular water can develop shallow root systems and any prolonged disruptions in service could have   significant impacts.
• Step 7: If applying drip irrigation in sloped conditions, follow the contours of the slope as outlined in Technical Brief 16.

Once a drip irrigation system is up and running, farmers can explore fertigation, the addition of soluble fertilisers into the irrigation system water for distribution directly to plants.

To effectively undertake deficit irrigation:

• Step 1: Determine critical growth cycle of desired crops.
• Step 2: Experiment with SI strategies to determine critical watering times prior to upscaling.
• Step 3: Strict management is required to determine the level of transpiration deficiency allowable without significant reduction in crop yields.
• Step 4: Farmers capable of implementing deficit irrigation must have access to the minimum required water to implement deficit irrigation.
• Step 5: Farmers must have access to a reliable water source, irrigation systems, including water distribution system, sprinklers and/or drip irrigation system.

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.

To effectively undertake weed control measures:

• Step 1: Review weed control measures - crop rotation, intercropping, cover crops, mulching, seed-bed preparation, livestock grazing, seed/variety selection, mowing, hand-weeding and adjustments to tillage practices - and determine which methods are available and appropriate for the farming system and farmer. Two or more of these techniques can be applied to assist in ensuring farmers have more chance of success. Understand possible negative impacts of each weed control method.
• Step 2: Improve weed identification knowledge in specific areas.
• Step 3: Prevent weeds from spreading – clean clothes, animals, machinery, vehicles to limit weed transport; use only well stored/rotted manure (4-5 months) (Knowledge Product 16), include fencing, irrigation and other farm ‘breaks’ where possible
• Step 4: Apply a combination of weed control methods including – cover crops (Technical Brief 15), mulching, intercropping (Technical Brief 07), crop rotation (Technical Brief 09), livestock grazing, seed selection (Technical Brief 20), mowing, hand-weeding. Try to avoid the application of herbicides, tillage and burning.
• Step 5: monitor and document most effective weed management strategies for each farmer, and use lessons learned from the area with other farmers where applicable.

To effectively undertake crop diversification:

• Step 1: Identify potential market opportunities for alternative crops in local/sub-national/national area.
• Step 2: Determine crops that farmer wishes to plant and the purpose whether it be household food stuff, cash crop or fodder crop.
• Step 3:  Establish local demonstration plots at the local level growing non-traditional crops that have market demand and can be incorporated into local farming systems.
• Step 4: Prepare smaller plot through clearing and weeding. CCARDESA recommends a no tillage approach (Technical Brief 12).
• Step 5:  Secure seeds of desired crops and follow planting guidance if the crop has not been previously grown. Sow seeds on small plot.
• Step 6: Track progress of crop and harvest and process as required.
• Step 7: Discuss cost benefit of growing diversified crops with farmers.
• Step 8: Farmers should gradually integrate a new crop(s) into their farming system to ensure that they are comfortable with diversifying at a greater scale.

To effectively implement relay cropping, the following steps should be carried out:

• Step 1: Test/experiment with locally available crops to determine if they are complementary and can grow concurrently - cereal crops and legumes are complementary and can generally grow concurrently.
• Step 2: Prepare land through clearing, weeding and a no-tillage approach (Technical Brief 12).
• Step 3: Plant cereal crop first according to normal planting season schedule –during rainy season. Space this cereal crop 70 cm by 50 cm apart.
• Step 4: Prior to cereal harvest, plant the legume crop between cereal crop rows with spacing based on legume planting efficiencies (researched prior to planting for optimum growth).
• Step 5: After cereal has been harvested, bend the dried stalks down to provide more ground cover.
• Step 6: When legumes are ready for harvest, collect the productive pod/seed/bean/nut and leave the stalk uprooted in the field to maximise ground cover.

In addition to agricultural inputs and the following technical implementation steps, ISFM requires the farmer to consider farm size (land area), and property rights (land tenure) to ensure that investments are efficient and sustainable.

To implement ISFM approaches, the following should be considered:

• Step 1: Prepare a needs assessment based on understanding of farm challenges – low or declining productivity, soil fertility, low organic content, etc
• Step 2: Measure fields that require attention to understand volumes of inputs required.
• Step 3: Develop (or update) an agricultural calendar to use as a platform for discussion between farmer(s) extension officer(s).
• Step 4: Develop plan and schedule/programme of locally appropriate ISFM interventions between farmer(s) and extension officer(s), obtaining guidance from agricultural suppliers where necessary (lime application, etc). As ISFM is a blended approach, the plan should consider short and medium to long term interventions and outcomes.
• Step 5: Examine cost implications of the plan, revising where necessary based upon available resources, and if necessary/available apply for credit to fund investments.
• Step 6: Assess labour requirements within the ISFM plan to ensure that they can be fulfilled, and considerations of gender and youth have been accommodated – women are not expected to do the majority of work, and children are not missing school.

Before applying lime to increase lower soil pH the following should be considered. Equipment required: soil pH testing kit, protective goggles and mask, agricultural lime, shovels/forks/hoes, and disk harrow, drag harrow or hoe if available.

• Step 1: Use a pH testing strip to determine soil pH levels, making sure to test surface and sub-surface acidity.
• Step 2: Measure area of land to be treated in order to determine amount of lime for purchase. Application should be calculated as metric tonne per hectare, depending on soil pH and crop. Lime requirements will differ depending on soil type and level of acidity in the soil. Application volumes can be guided by suppliers.
• Step 3: Purchase lime according to requirements from agricultural supplier. Savings could be realised if purchasing as a group of farmers.
• Step 4: Apply lime to the soils at least two months prior to planting directly after harvesting to allow the lime to react with the soil, and positively impact the pH.
• Step 5: Mix lime and soil well in order to reduce soil acidity. This is normally achieved through disk tilling but can be done manually using a drag harrow or hoe. However, this can be an intensive process.
• Step 6: Test pH prior to planting to ensure amendments have improved soil pH.
• Step 7: Plant crops. Monitor crop performance, and harvest results with a view to understanding impact of lime treatment.
• Step 8: Following harvest, test soil pH again.

Application of lime can be part of an Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices.

While a practical solution, this soil amendment should be informed by research and discussion with extension officers and lime suppliers. On-farm storage and management of lime should be included in this dialogue.