Neutral

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 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 Water Spreading Bunds the following should be carried out:

• Step 1: Farmers should consider making earth bunds by hand, animal ploughs or mechanised ploughs.
• Step 2: Contour bunds:
  • Contour lines must be plotted and marked prior to developing the bund.
  • A 40 cm deep infiltration pit is dug directly above where the bund will be plotted.
  • Bunds should be spread 5 m to 10 m apart.
  • Material from the infiltration pit will be piled and compacted to form a 25 cm to 30 cm in height with a base of 75 cm.
  • Soil is piled to form a ridge along the contour. The more significant the slope, the closer the bunds must be plotted.
• Step 3: Semi-circle bunds:
  • Contour lines must be plotted and marked prior to developing the bund.
  • A centre point is chosen as diameter for the bund is selected (this could be 3 m or 30 m depending on the available space). From the centre point a string is used to stake out an even semi-circle.
  • Excavate a small trench before the bund and pile the excavated material. Pile and compact a bund wall, wetting it often to form the wall.
• Step 4: Contour stone bunds:
  • Developed on less steep slopes.
  • Must have access to local stones.
  • Dig out a shallow ditch, 10 cm to 15 cm in depth.
  • Lay largest stones at the bottom of the ditch and pile smaller stone upward.
  • Step 5: Regular monitoring of bunds should take place, especially after rain events or after significant periods of time. Repairs should be done if any damage is found.

To effectively In Field Water Harvesting techniques, the following steps should be carried out:

• Step 1: Land is cleared, berms are developed, and crops are planted in order to direct water to the infiltration point.
• Step 2: The catchment areas should be sloped no more than 5 % and the area should be cleared to promote catchment as much as possible.
• Step 3: The infiltration pit (where water is stored) should be dug at the lowest point of the catchment areas and line infiltration pits with plastic or concrete roofing to limit water loss, and can be used as a source of irrigation for fruit trees and other high value crops.
• Step 4: Paths can be built of soil to guide water to the infiltration pit.
• Step 5: Alley cropping, or strop cropping can be used, with areas between trees and crops dug deeper like a trough to direct water to the infiltration pit.
• Step 6: To access water from infiltration pits, farmers can introduce a pumping system and water can be distributed around the farm as necessary

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 seed saving:

• Step 1: Communicate with national agricultural extension and local farmers regarding seed harvesting timing and practices for local crop species.
• Step 2: Clear field and sow desired crop using climate smart agriculture practices.
• Step 3: Monitor plant life cycle and ensure that seeds are extracted correctly and are not spoiled in the process. Employ local expertise to ensure seed harvesting is carried out correctly.
• Step 4: Post-harvest, seeds should be adequately dried and then transferred to proper storage facilities.
• Step 5: store seeds in dry, cool, and dark locations. This will prevent them from spoil. Different strategies for seed storage are implemented around the region so local expertise should be sought.
• Step 6: Ensure that pests are excluded from storage areas to prevent loss or spoil (Technical Brief 61-65).
• Step 7: Community seed banks or seed trading should be established to allow farmers to integrate different varieties into their farming system that are resilient to local climatic conditions

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.