Mechanised

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 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 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