Yes

To effectively implement Carrying capacity improvement:

• Step 1: There is no standard equation to determine the carrying capacity of an area, as many variables apply and factors relevant within each context including size of land unit, amount, frequency and timing of rainfall seasons, type of vegetation, species of animal, etc.
• Step 2: Extension officers should aim to support farmers to continuously monitor rangeland status and realise the impacts of over-grazing and the benefits of finding an equilibrium.
• Step 3: Constant monitoring of the pasture and animals must be carried out throughout the year to check if stocking rate aligns with the carrying capacity of the land unit. If land degradation is identified, adjustments to stocking rates should be considered, in the context of season and landscape regeneration.
  • For communal grazing land, it is ideal to use Animal Units (AU) to calculate the relative grazing impact of different kinds and classes of domestic livestock and/or even common grazing wildlife species for one month (AUM = Animal Unit Months). This information should support collective decision-making regarding rangeland resources.

        Using a conversion table of, the AUE (Animal Unit Equivalent) and the formula:

        1) multiply the number of animals to be grazed on the pasture by AUE to determine total AU, then

        2) multiply the total AU by the number of months planned to graze (see formula below or

        Worksheet A of the Range Calculator).

        Formula: _____________ x _____________ = _____________ x _____________ = _____________

                        # Animals         AUE(table)     Animal Units (AU)   Months (M)           AUM

• Step 4: One option for effectively responding to carrying capacity challenges is shift or changing grazing species if high consumption species are placing pressure on a particular unit of land.

To effectively implement Improved digestibility, Improved protein content:

• Step 1: Inform farmers of the possible benefits of increased dietary protein in their livestock in order to implement dietary supplements.
• Step 2: Identify a supplement contain the key amino acids - Methionine, Lysine, Threonine, and Tryptophan, in consultation with suppliers and veterinarians.
• Step 3: Added supplements to green plant residue (silage) as guided on packaging or by supplier to increase the efficiency of protein in livestock. Ensure that supplement amounts are suitable for animals and the type of feed being supplemented.
• Step 4: Ensure that supplements sourced will be consistently available from suppliers in the region. These supplements can be purchased at most agricultural shops, including rural areas.
• Step 5: As a low-cost option, farmers can formulate rations specific to their livestock. These rations are only for domestic use and not commercial.

To effectively implement Improved digestibility, Improved protein content:

• Step 1: Inform farmers of the possible benefits of increased dietary protein in their livestock in order to implement dietary supplements.
• Step 2: Identify a supplement contain the key amino acids - Methionine, Lysine, Threonine, and Tryptophan, in consultation with suppliers and veterinarians.
• Step 3: Added supplements to green plant residue (silage) as guided on packaging or by supplier to increase the efficiency of protein in livestock. Ensure that supplement amounts are suitable for animals and the type of feed being supplemented.
• Step 4: Ensure that supplements sourced will be consistently available from suppliers in the region. These supplements can be purchased at most agricultural shops, including rural areas.
• Step 5: As a low-cost option, farmers can formulate rations specific to their livestock. These rations are only for domestic use and not commercial.

To effectively implement NCF practices:

• Step 1: Determine potential sources of NCFs in the local area and consider if the potential products are suitable (provide enough energy, are digestible, palatable to livestock animals, etc) and require additional investment to access or use.
• Step 2: Collect for free/negotiate lower rates with producers of agroecological industrial process biproducts or plant materials to gain access to their ‘waste’ materials.
• Step 3: Determine how sustainable and consistent the supply will be from the providers. If possible, identify a range of suppliers to mitigate potential losses of stockpiled NCFs.
• Step 4: Before being used as feed, NCF’s from agroecological processes must be appropriately processed - (grinding (8 mm) and pelleting) and mixed into a uniform blend. Hence, labour requirements may increase. This could be mechanised.
• Step 5: Livestock should be monitored when these feeds are introduced to ensure digestibility of the product for the animals.
• Step 6: Based on advice from the suppliers of agroecological industrial process biproducts, ensure appropriate storage of materials to avoid loss of nutrition, pests and waste.

To effectively implement Physical Storage Options:

• Step 1: When making a choice of which storage option to choose, farmers must consider the type of crop to be stored, storage requirements of the crop and the form in which the crop must be stored (for 0-6months/3-12months).
• Step 2: Grains must be stored in a dry place with a constant temperature.
• Step 3: Crops should be dried and have low moisture content prior to storage.
• Step 4: Airtight containers should be used to avoid insect infestation.
• Step 5: Based on farmer resources and time of storage, there are a number of containers that can be utilised to store harvested crops including metal silos, polythene sacks (that can be layered), mud silos, plastic bags.
• Step 6: As a last measure, insecticides in the form of a powder can be applied to harvested crops. The powder comes in pre-measured packets and are low dosage so generally safe to handle. Information is provided on each packet and should be read before integrating it into the crop. Grain needs to be cleaned before consumption.

To effectively implement Drying Technique practices:

• Step 1: Harvest crops.
• Step 2: Consider the number of different crops that need to be dried.
• Step 3: Dry the crops naturally using air temperature or direct sunlight or artificial drying through using fans or other mechanical means.
• Step 4: Never place crops directly on the soil but rather on a cement area, woven mats or a layer of sacks.
• Step 4: Livestock should be kept away from drying grains to prevent contamination and loss.
• Step 5: Farmers should consult storage life charts that will help determine dry crop characteristics and approximate times for drying.
• Step 6: Cover all drying grain at night to prevent loss or damage.
• Step 7: Sorghum should be left on the seed, maize should be de-husked and left on the cob, grain and pulses are normally left in their pods.
• Step 8: Monitor the stored grain by checking at least every two weeks.

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 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.