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Vol.7, No.2 |
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Organized by
Sudanese Society of Ecological Farming (SUSECOF) & Network of Organic Farming in Africa (NECOFA)
Khartoum 23-24 May 2005
The 2nd National workshop of SUSECOF was held in Khartoum Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at 23-24 May 2005.
The workshop was addressed by Minister of Science and Technology and the State Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
About 100 participants attended the workshop (55 male and 45 female) representing different private and public relevant institutes.
Objectives of the Workshop held in the Sudan was:
- To raise the awareness of Organic Farming and its potential important role in the National Economy.
- Upscaling of the technical know-how of ecological farming in Sudan.
- To put policies and legislation of Organic Agriculture in the Sudan.
- To put the stakeholders of organic farming more closely.
Activities: Two main activities were presented:
- Presentation and discussion of invited distinguished papers (23 May).
- Discussion of the first draft of the constitution and selection of the new committee (24 May) .
Papers: 9 – papers were presented covering the 2 themes:-
1. Organic Farming Worldwide.
- Arafa A. & F. M. Salih: Organic Farming in Africa Opportunities and Challenges.
- Gamal A. Elbadri: European Frame of Rules and Regulations of Organic Farming.
- Kamal E. & Elhagwa, A.: Organic Agriculture Worldwide
- Ahmed E. W.: Policies and Legislation of Organic Farming.
- Imad, B. : Frame of laws and Regulations of Organic Farming in Sudan.
2. Organic Farming Potentialities in Sudan (in Arabic)
- Gaafar I. & Elhagwa, A.: A Proposal for a Research Program to Improve Organic Farming in Sudan.
- Elhag, M. A.: The Role of the FAO in Organic Farming Improvement.
- Suleiman, S.A.: The Expected Role of the Economic Ploicies in Improvement of Agricultural Development Depending on Organic Farming.
- Hamdi Abbas: The Potentialities of Organic Farming in Sudan
Photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas spp)
The photosynthetic or phototropic bacteria are a group of independent, self-supporting microbes. These bacteria synthesis useful substances from secretions of roots, organic matter and / or harmful gases (e.g. hydrogen sulphide), by using sunlight and heat of soil as sources of energy.
The useful substances developed by these microbes include amino acids, nucleic acids, bioactive substances and sugars, all of which promote plant growth and development.
The metabolites developed by these microorganisms are absorbed directly into plants and act as substrates for increasing beneficial microbial populations. For example, Vesicular Arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizae in the rhizoshere are increased to the availability of nitrogenous compounds (amino acids) which are secreted by the phototropic bacteria. The VA mycorrhizae in turn enhance the solubility of phosphates in soils, thereby supplying unavailable phosphorus to plants. VA mycorrhizae can also coexist with Azotobactor and Rhizobium, thereby increasing the capacity of plants to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus spp)
Lactic acid bacteria produce lactic acid from sugars and other carbohydrates, developed by photosynthetic bacteria from ancient times. However, Lactic acid is a strong sterilizing compound, and suppresses harmful microorganisms and enhances decomposition of organic matter. Moreover, lactic acid bacteria promote the fermentation and decomposition of material such as lignin and cellulose, thereby removing undesirable effects of un-decomposed organic matter.
Lactic acid bacteria have the ability to suppress disease-inducing microorganisms such as Fusarium, which occur in continuous cropping programmes. Under normal circumstances, species such as Fusarium weakens crop plants, thereby exposing them to disease and increased pest populations such as nematodes. The use of lactic acid bacteria reduces nematode populations and controls propagation and spread of Fusarium, thereby inducing a better environment for crop growth.
Yeast (Saccharomyces spp)
Yeasts synthesize antimicrobial and other useful substances required for plant growth from amino acids and sugars secreted by photosynthetic bacteria, organic matter and plant roots. The bioactive substances such as hormones and enzymes produced by yeasts promote active cell and root division. These secretions are also useful substrates for Effective Microorganisms such as Lactic acid bacteria and Actinomycetes.
The different species of Effective Microorganisms (Photosynthetic, Lactic acid bacteria and yeast) have their respective functions. However, photosynthetic bacteria could be considered the pivot of EM activity.
Photosynthetic bacteria support the activities of other microorganisms in EM. However, the photosynthetic bacteria also utilize substances produced by other microbes. This phenomenon is termed “co-existence and co-prosperity”.
The enhancement of populations of EM in soils by application promotes the development of existing beneficial soil microorganisms. Thus, the micro flora of the soil becomes abundant, thereby the soil develops a well balanced microbial system.
In this process soil specific microbes (especially harmful species) are suppressed, thereby reducing microbial diseases that cause soil borne diseases. In contrast, in these developed soil, the Effective Micro-organisms maintain a symbiotic process with the roots of plants within the rhizosphere.
Plant roots also secrete substances such as carbohydrates, amino and organic acids and active enzymes. Effective microorganisms use these secretions for growth. During this process, they also secrete and provide amino and nucleic acids, a variety of vitamins and hormones to plants. Furthermore, EM in the rhizosphere co exists with plants. Therefore, plants grow exceptionally well in soils, which are dominated by Effective Micro-organisms.
Introduction
Introduction……
Objectives of the study
4. To identify strategies for research and development in IFTS in Uganda.
Methodology
Results of the study : Farmer knowledge of IFTS & their potential uses
1. Characteristics of IFTS
2. IFTS as livestock feed resource
IFTS as livestock feed resource (cont)
3. Other uses of IFTS
4. Establishment of IFTS
5. Major developmental constraints
Proposed areas of research
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Introduction
The control of weed in most crop production systems is an agronomic practice that is costly and usually not effective and efficient in most traditional agricultural farm practices. It has to be controlled so as not to reduce the yields of crops drastically. It has been estimated that yields of crops can be reduced by between 60-90% in severe cases of poor weed management practices. It is imperative that for a successful crop, production, weed control measures that is efficient, cost effective and environmental friendly be adopted.
Objective
To reduce cost of production in maize/cassava intercrop through a dynamic weed control method that is sustainable and ecologically friendly.
Materials and Methods
The trials were conducted in for locations of Abeokuta (Ab), Ikenne (Ik), Ilaro (IK) and Ijebu-ode (IJ) with four replications in each zone. Three of the locations AB, IK and IJ are in the forest zone while IL is in the savanna zone.
The four treatments of the trial include
A. Cassava + Maize + Herbicide + 1 hand weeding (HW)
B. Cassava + Maize +1 hand weeding
C. Cassava + Maize + 2 hand weeding 3 & 7 weeks after planting
(WAP)
D. Cassava + Maize + Melon + 1 hand weeding
The maize variety used is Suwan-1 which is a downey mildew resistant variety and streak resistant also.
The TMS 30572 variety of cassava a high yielding and disease resistant variety developed by the International Institute for Tropical agriculture (IITA), Ibadan was used. The local variety of melon ‘Bara” was used.
The spacing for both Maize and Cassava was 100cm by 100cm.
Primextra was the herbicide used at a rate of 5 litres per ha.
Results
There was no significant difference between the yields of the treatments except for herbicide as on Table 2. There was no significant difference in the yield of maize as seen on Table 1. That means whichever method adopted does not contribute any significant increase to the yield of maize although the mean yield of maize was highest in the plots where herbicides was used.
The average yield of melon is 0.315t/ha and this constitute an added yield advantage over other treatments as well as being a cover crop that aids in weed control. The biomass created by melon will also contribute more organic manure to the soil after harvest.
Table 4 shows partial budget analysis of the maize and melon yield from this trial. The usual farmers practice is 2 hand weeding. From the partial budget analysis it thus show that for the treatment on melon for every N1 spent, N4.56 is gained and for one hand weeding, for every N1 spent N0.81 is gained.
Conclusion/Recommendation
The use of melon if planted at the right time is more profitable and more environmentally friendly than other herbicide and one hand weeding. It is therefore recommended that intercropping melon in a maize/cassava mixture be popularised among farmers.
| Tables.doc |
BACKGROUND
No one can contest the emergence of the dimension of organic produce, when it comes to food security, food safety, health and agriculture as well as new markets.
Diverse has stimulated the design and formulation of a National Organic Produce Strategy (NOPS) by the DTI agro-processing, through the application and request of two National Coverage mandate groups.
At a strategic meeting held at RGC on the 18th of August 2004 between NECOFA, Diverse and Organic for Africa, a strategic planning has been established between the parties taking in consideration various political, environmental and institutional backgrounds.
THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PRODUCE CONFERENCE
1. Project design, experience and management consortium
An MOU shall be established between the three parties namely:
NECOFA, Organics Africa, Diverse International Design to outline responsibilities, duties, terms of reference and code of conduct for the project.
PARTNERSHIPS
An official correspondence shall be sent to the DTI Agro-processing to seek their endorsement and acknowledging that the conference is an institutional mobilization toward the
NOPS
The conference shall be planned with the various stakeholders and roleplayers at National Level in the field such as:
- OSA
- BDOSA
- NAFU
- Agri-Business SA
A workshop should be budgeted to define requisites from these bodies.
OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE
NOTE:
The exercise is strategical for the consortium to be allocated with the project of the NOPS by the DTI agro-processing.
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Poultry
Free range management
Under free-range conditions, it is advisable to maintain the chicken in batches of 1,000. A part time farmer could raise 300 – 500 chickens easily. The important aspect of free-range chicken is to not stress the birds. Hence the density of birds per square meter should be 3 – 5 under open conditions and 10 – 12 per 1,000 square meters when kept in fruit orchards. Under free-range conditions, a farmer would require another 2,000 square meters to produce green feed for the birds.
An adult bird requires 50 kg of feed per year. Approximately 50% of this feed is corn, wheat, rice bran and similar products. The balance contains products such as fishmeal, oil cake, bones, eggshells and kitchen refuse. A chick requires 50 g of feed per day along with fresh green vegetation. This feed is always given in the morning. In most instances, disease incidence in free ranges occur in 4 – 5 years, if the shed is not kept clean. Therefore, EM plays an important role in this process of sanitation, and the pens should be sprayed regularly with a dilute solution of EM (dilution 1: 100 of extended EM).
The chicken shed should always be dry. The floor does not need concrete at all times. One could develop a floor containing wood, bamboo or rice husks, charcoal, which is soaked in EM solution for three days. This layer could be 5 – 0 cm deep. If concrete is used, extended EM could be added (dilution 1: 100) in mixing the cement.
Once the floor is ready, spray EM (dilution 1: 100) at a rate of 1 litre per square meter. Thereafter, develop the litter using dry husk, sawdust, chopped straw and dry weeds. You could mix bokashi to this material to account for 10% of the total volume. However, one should never mix chicken manure in making bokashi for poultry litter. The litter is 15 – 20 cm thick and should always be dry. After one year, this litter, which is very good compost, should be changed.
The shed should be well protected and if a second floor is made, attention must be kept clean and free of rodents. The house should also contain some perches for the birds. The feed and water troughs must be kept clean and EM (dilution 1: 1000) could be lightly sprayed, avoiding the dampening of the litter.
Once day-old chicks are hatched or introduced, they need much care. The temperatures must be maintained at 33 – 35 degrees C in the first 7 – 10 days, and lowered by 1 degree per every two days to ambient conditions. The humidity should also be high in the first few days and lowered thereafter.
In the first three days, the chicks are fed with broken brown rice. EM is supplied in the drinking water at a dilution of 1; 5000. The drinking water must be changed daily. From the fourth day, chopped fresh green leaves could be given, and it is advisable to wash this feed with a EM solution (dilution 1: 1000). From the 6th day chick feed could be provided along with the chopped green leaves. Bokashi could also be mixed at a ratio of 1 – 5% of the feed. Generally the feed troughs should be empty 1 –2 hours before the next feeding and layers should not be transferred or transported. If they need to be transported, it is best done in the morning. Thereafter, stress could be reduced by supplying EM FPE (dilution 1; 1000) or a garlic paste with the water. Layers require artificial lighting to increase production. Hence 15 hours of lighting should be provided to ensure regular laying.
Chicken in battery cages
These are intensive systems, although management is similar to the free-range systems. Bamboo is a suitable material for making these cages in the developing countries. If possible, the cages should be made above fishponds or open fermenters.
EM should be provided with the drinking water at dilutions of 1: 4000 or 5000. This water should be changed daily. Bokashi could be mixed with the meal at a ratio of 1 – 5%. Any green vegetation fed could also be washed in dilute EM
(1: 1000).
Swine production:
The faecal matter could also be mixed with dry organic matter and sprayed with EM (dilution 1: 100). The moisture content of this compost should be below 30%. If the smell remains in the compost, spray EM again.
Cattle:
Cattle should always be reared under open conditions. The cattle barns should not have many walls, and need good light and ventilation. If concrete is used for the floor, EM could be used in the mixing of the cement (dilution 1; 100). If concrete is not used, the floor needs to be sprayed with a dilute solution of EM
(1: 100) and dry organic matter such as straw placed on the floor. These materials make ideal compost and hence needs cleaning at regular intervals. EM could be diluted (1: 1000) and sprayed on the floor, roof and walls of the barns and also on the animals on a daily basis.
The dung and urine needs to be separated. The urine could be mixed with 0.1% of undiluted EM until the smell disappears and be used as a liquid spray at a dilution of 1: 1000 (urine to water) to crops. The dung could be mixed with organic matter such as leaves and diluted EM (1: 100) sprayed and mixed to maintain moisture content below 30%. This becomes good manure when the smell disappears. If the smell is retained, spray EM again to the heap. Cattle can be provided with drinking water mixed with EM at a dilution of 1: 4000 or 5000 on a daily basis.
EM bokashi made with rice straw and bran could be mixed with feed as in swine. EM could also be sprayed onto the green fodder (1: 1000) or be applied to silage at the same dilution.
FISH FARMING WITH EM
The guidelines for use of EM in fish culture are:
Add EM to obtain a dilution of 1: 1,000 – 10,000 in the water of the pond at 7 – 14 day intervals. If there is a foul odour, add EM at more frequent intervals.
Mixing of bokashi (bokashi for animals) in the field (1 – 5%) is very effective in increasing growth rates and productivity of the fish.
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