Positive

To effectively implement  push and pull systems:

• Step 1: Plant Napier and a legume like Desmodium or molasses grass  between every three rows of maize/sorghum as barriers to repel stemborers away from crops.
• Step 2: Plant the Desmodium first as soon as the rains begin, so it immediately repels the stalk borers before the maize/sorghum emerge.
• Step 3: Plant three rows of Naiper grass around the borders of maize field.
• Step 4:  Allow pest enemies such as ants and spiders to enter the field to feed on stemborers.
• Step 5: Cut grass and fed to animals as forage.
• Step 6:  Abandon areas that are heavily affected by stemborers until treated.

To effectively leverage resistant varieties, the following should be carried out:

• Step 1: Survey farmers and meet with other local and national level extension officers to determine key interventions required – drought tolerance, prevalence of certain pests, etc.
• Step 2: Research and meet other local extension officers to discuss best methods applied to the agricultural practice of resistant varieties in the region.
• Step 3: Talk to the agricultural dealers and seed manufacturers about the varieties being offered and their characteristics.
• Step 4: Talk to the agricultural research departments about best opportunities under climatic change in your specific area.
• Step 5: Either independently or in partnership with seed manufacturers, establish test plots of viable resistant varieties in key locations to act as demonstration plots for farmers to visit, observe growth and harvest, and test the outcomes. Many conditions may come into play when attempting to mainstream resistant varieties, including visual aspects, harvesting and processing differences, palatability and taste, etc. All of these issues must be discussed with farmers during testing and roll-out to ensure resources are not wasted with varieties that will fail.

To effectively implement resistant breeds:

• Step 1: Breed livestock with increased resistance against pathogens or other environmental stressors (heat stress).
• Step 2: Select animals of higher general disease resistance (resistance to several diseases) using a heritable indicator such as natural antibodies.
• Step 3: Keep record of good performing animals; unhealthy or easily prone of weak animals should not be used for mating; males should be castrated leaving best specimen to breed in subsequent seasons.
• Step 4: Breed or inseminate the selected cows with desired or selected bulls or semen of the desired traits.

To effectively leverage alternative breeds:

• Step 1: Consult with national agricultural research and extension services to identify adaptable breeds available in the country/region, noting type of traits suitable for the particular ecological zone, and how to access stock. Traits to focus-on include health, milk production, disease tolerance, fertility, economic performance and adaptation to climate change and climate variability. Assisting with sourcing potential alternative breeds is a key role for Extension Officers.
• Step 2: Before selecting a substitution breed, the current breed must be evaluated to identify traits that are lacking, as well as compatibility. This will help in identifying traits that need to be improved.
• Step 3: Determine the cost effectiveness of the new breed to the area and or farmer, in terms of feed conversion rates, disease resistance, environmental conservation etc.
• Step 4: Consistently keep record of the livestock performance and behaviour for discussion with other farmers and extension officers.

To effectively implement assisted reproduction using artificial insemination:

• Step 1: A qualified veterinarian or service provider should be readily available and preferably contracted to carry out the procedure as they should have the necessary training, instruments and facilities to carry out procedures;
• Step 2: The farmer should suggest the type of breed for his animal, and the veterinarian should advise the farmer on the feasible breed for the cow.
• Step 3: The farmer has to identify the cow on heat by observing the heat signs (uneasiness, making loud unusual noise, mounting others, standing when mounted, producing mucus discharge from the vulva, etc.)
• Step 4: The identified animal is isolated from the rest of the animals.
• Step 5: Communicate with the veterinarian or trained service provider to carry out the procedure by determining the readiness of the cow to undergo the AI service (stage of heat cycle). Early reporting increasing chances of successful conception.
• Step 6: The veterinarian or service provider then carries out the procedure to the cow after confirming readiness of the animal.

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 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 mulching the following should be carried out. Tools required: shovel, scissors or shears.

• Step 1: Gather organic materials from the farm and other external sources if possible. grasses, crop residues, wood chips, tree backs and other plant materials.
• Step 2: Prepare a location to stock-pile mulch material. A large farm will need a substantial area or pit to achieve this. For smaller operations, mulch can be stored in open-topped barrels and bags punctured for air holes. Storage must allow moisture to contribute to the decomposition process, but no become waterlogged.
• Step 3: Chop/shred organic material and add to the stock-pile. With larger amounts of material, a motorised, or pedal driven chopper/shredder is useful.
• Step 4: Allow materials to decompose, but do not leave for extended periods as nutrients and minerals will be lost.
• Step 5: At the end of the growing season, remove any remaining weeds from the soil surface.
• Step 6: Spread mulch material over the surface approximately two centimetres deep.
• Step 7: In firmer or more compacted top soils, lightly work the mulch into the upper soil.
• Step 8: Lightly water area where mulch has been applied.

Mulch should be applied annually as mulching materials will decompose.

Switching to no-till or reduced tillage should be planned at least a year in advance so preparations can be made necessary implements can be obtained. Implements should match farm labour availability. You will also need to decide if no till or reduced tillage methods are appropriate based on farm area and desired crops, and start with a small area to determine feasibility. Cereal and legume crops are suitable for no tillage while vegetables and other crops often require some tillage – i.e. reduced tillage.

There are two forms of no-tillage, conventional and organic. Conventional no-tillage includes the application of herbicides to manage weeds, prior to and after planting. Organic no-tillage does not incorporate the use of herbicides, but includes other methods for controlling weeds, including cover crops, crop rotation and free-range livestock. Organic no-tillage is more suitable as it assists mitigate any climate change impacts on the farm.

No till

• Step 1: Prepare fields using conventional (herbicide application) or organic processes include cover crop (Technical Brief 15) and crop rotation (Technical Brief 09).
• Step 2: Test soils – aiming to balance nutrient and pH levels. In the case of acidic soils, add small amounts of lime each year.
• Step 3: Avoid soils with bad drainage, as they become water-logged.
• Step 4: Level the soil surface, removing uneven areas to assist even seed planting.
• Step 5: Eliminate soil compaction.

Reduced Till

• Step 1: This approach is similar to regular tillage, but with significantly less disturbance of the soil. Tilling is only done where needed, and the rest of the soil is undisturbed.
• Step 2: Strip-tillage or zone-tillage involves tilling and seeding in 15 cm strips leaving areas in-between undisturbed.
• Step 3: Ridge-tillage involves preparing ridges post-harvest and letting them settle over time to be planted the next seeding period; with ridges not more than 60 cm apart.

More information of each of these specific practices should be sought prior to implementation.

Crop rotation is a complimentary farming method when practicing no-tillage, as it promotes maximum biomass levels for permanent mulch cover, while controlling weeds (with pre- and post-emergent herbicides), pests, and diseases, as well as improving soil nutrition and fertility.