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Vol.7, No.4 |
Workshop participants were mostly former NECOFA members. Twenty-seven professionals of different fields attended the two-day workshop. The welcoming speech introduced NECOFA- Ethiopia to the participants and at the same time the achievements of Ghana workshop was briefed on the opening speech. The participants in straightening and strengthening the future performance of the network applauded the spectacular strategic shift of planning to involve in organic marketing by NECOFA. NECOFA declaration, to be addressed to the secretary General of UNO, was distributed to the participants by whom the attempt was highly appreciated. The participants commented that the declaration could have attracted more attention if it had been sent to the political leaders of NECOFA member countries by NECOFA- International itself. In conjecture with the issue of formation of the regional NECOFA coordinator, participants strongly recommended that the network should form linkage with AU.
Yohannes Getachew, an extentionist in one of the highest coffee producing woredas (Districts) of the country was one of the resource persons with the deliberation on the topic NECOFA and Ecofarming. The presenter has enriched his profession by visiting NECOFA website and making use of consecutive NECOFA News letters as a result of the contact formed by some members of NECOFA. The crux of the deliberation bases on the role NECOFA- Ethiopia played in the promotion of Ecofarming in the country. The critics forwarded by the presenter on the inefficiency of the country network in aggressively advocating and implementing Ecofarming practices in the rural Ethiopia is a valuable point of consideration. His paper highlighted that the poor farmers in his area of operation are highly indebted with the ever increasing price of fertilizers availed by the government. The fact that using inorganic fertilizers is progressing less rewardingly, the clear observation of its economic non viability and the gradual manifestation of the plots becoming less productive and increasing demand of more amounts of fertilizers by the same plots is concerning, the farmers as the presenter deliberated. He strongly argues that it was not logical and wise to involve small farmers to use inorganic fertilizers from the beginning. He justifies his point by showing that poor farmers could have used organic fertilizers (green manures, cover crops, house refusals, compost, etc) on small plots which incur less cost, keep the soil healthy and provide sustainable production. The paper concluded that the country network should start working at grassroots level with poor farmers than remaining as a floater. The participants had the opportunity to discuss on the issue and have identified weaknesses on the country network. The outcome of the discussion came out with a call to reorganize and strengthen the leadership of the country network on the one hand and evaluate the linkage with NECOFA-International on the other. The session was rather unexpectedly a hotbed and challenging with a positive and constructive intention of aggressively promoting ecofarming in the Region. It equally puts the validity and capacity of the network to promote ecofarming in the region under question mark.
The second and third sessions of the day were undertaken by the deliberation of Samuel Asseffa (Ph.D), a plant protectionist and Mustafa Nuru an extension worker. With a long experience and expertise work on coffee protection the deliberation of the resource persons focuses on the topic organic coffee production in Oromia Regional State. The papers show that about 424308 of the rural population of Oromia is engaged in coffee production, mostly small scale farmers. Based on the data of the last five years it, was deliberated that annual average production of the Regional state is more than 180,000 tones, which accounts for more than 57.2% of the country's coffee delivered to the central market. The total area of coffee plantation being 8870 ha, it was noted on the presentation that 15.4% of this area is used for organic coffee production with annual produce of 30415 tones. The Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union private limited company is the main institution which is fully engaged in organic coffee production, according to the presentations. The union embraced only 5.6% of the total coffee producers of the region who are earning 300% more than other farmers. Though, there is no basic difference in management and process of production, the majority of the farmers are on a disadvantage because of the mere fact that they are not organized under the union and thus forced to sell their product on conventional market.
The resource person also attempted to site future opportunities for organic coffee production where he pin pointed the increasing demand and growing world market for organically produced coffee. In the near future accordingly the important markets in the European union, the USA and Japan were expected to grow at a rate of 5%-40%. The demand for organically grown food is showing the trend of enlarging and the same is true with the premium for such products according to the paper. Finalizing the presentation, the presenters commented that with a larger premium and less cost for purchasing industrial fertilizers, poor farmers could attain food security if they switch-on to organic coffee production provided that all necessary assistance is given by all parties concerned.
Participants have raised questions and forwarded comments on the presentations. The discussion has showed the fact that there exists confusion to the concept of organic production as only to be the non-usage of agrochemical. A similar issue of confusion observed in the process of the discussion was the perception of the participants that organic coffee could simply be bought from farmers and be exported by exporters as it was done in the conventional coffee trading.
The next two sessions focused on organic certification and inspection with another additional session dealing with local inspection. Jemal Hassan (Ph.D), the only person engaged on local inspection and Asfaw Tihune (NECOFA, Ethiopia Country chairman) has addressed the issues alternatively. The main teams dealt with in these consecutive sessions were the concepts certification (direct certification, co-certification, local certification) supervision and inspection. The issue of accreditation was also another point made clear on the sessions. It was made visible to the participants that not all countries have the legitimacy to export organic products, the process of certification is mainly monopolized by Europeans and Americana with highly in accessible fee for poor farmers. The difficulty of third world countries to be accredited was also highlighted. At this juncture, the efforts of Naturland in making the certification process simple for small farmers were stressed.
In an effort of encouraging African farmers to involve in organic production examples of EPOPA, Bio Latina, Bio Musica, Bio Pacha, CENIAE, INO and the efforts of IFOAM in establishing the Africa Organic Service Center was cited. The participants appreciated the formation of the organic certification and marketing Desk in NECOFA.
The procedures and activities of local inspection undertaken by a representative of an International Certification Agency, the only body engaged in certification of organic products in Ethiopia was put forward for discussion. It was shown that a single agency can not satisfy the demand of the highly growing clients of the country the near future, and thus, the participant have stressed the need for an institutionalized local inspection body which could help minimize the cost of certification for poor farmers. It was also demanded from NECOFA-International and its associates that a capacity building be undertaken for country networks which enables them to form linkages with international certification agencies, make them able to generate their own income and enables them to self sustain.
The final state of the workshop was the plenary session, which was concluded with the following points to be given due attention in light of contributing to poverty alleviation and achieving food security:
Conclusion and Recommendations
In order to make organic farming accessible to the large rural community and contribute to poverty reduction and food security, the following aspects need be given due consideration:
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OVERVIEW
During the reporting period, NECOFA Kenya members were very active and participated in several activities and events. Collaboration with other organizations was initiated and/ or enhanced. NECOFA Kenya is now a member of:
NECOFA members including community leaders participated in several training workshops and advocacy forums. In partnership with a lobby group on marketing of maize and dairy, NECOFA participated in the “Get on Board Campaign” that was sponsored by ActionAid and whose aim was to lobby the G8 countries to write countries off debts to Africa and to put in place “fare trade” as intervention for poverty in Africa.
In partnership with the International Commission on the Future of Food and Agriculture, NECOFA produced 1000 copies of 2005 calendar with a strong message against introduction of GMO in Africa. The calendars were distributed in the country’s education institutions, government ministries, NGO’S, farmer organizations and individuals.
ACTIVITIES
The organization was involved in many more sundry activities that are difficult to highlight in this report. However, some major once include; -
i.) Traditional Foods Festivals in Bondo(7/8/2004) and Molo 4/6/2005
120 adults including teachers, farmers and community leaders) and 210 primary and secondary students.
In Molo the event brought together 86 adults and 54 school students. The objectives of these events were
ii.) Training workshop on Effective Micro organisms (EM) at the EM Demonstration Centre-Embu Kenya 21-27/Nov/2004
The workshop brought together 10 participants from the East African region and was held in Embu Kenya
The objectives of training individual
To learn about EM technology and its integration in Ecofarming promotion.
To have first hand experience on application EM
iii.) Participation in the international NECOFA workshop in Ghana
Kenya was represented by two members i.e. Samuel K. Muhunyu(who in this forum was elected the Regional Coordinator) and Mwikali Muia
iv.) Participation in Terra Madre 2004
NECOFA Kenya was accorded opportunity by the Slow Food International to nominate 10 participants for Tewa Madre 2004 that was held in Turin-Italy between 20th-23rd October 2004. The nominees included 6 men and 4 men and they participated in several workshops, exhibitions and displayed products and the country coordinator was honoured to make speech at closing ceremony.
The event brought together over 500 participants from over 130 countries of the world and presented a rare opportunity for information and experience sharing. Community representatives had first hand opportunity to meet and interact with others who face (or had faced) similar challenges to their own and learnt of different coping strategies or even solutions to such challenges. After this event collaboration between NECOFA in Kenya and Slow Food has grown and have together conducted a Post Terra Madre workshop in Kenya.
v.) Workshop on traditional foods in health, nutrition and food security.
This workshop was organized in collaboration between NECOFA Kenya, Slow Food and the Kenya Ministry for Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services. It brought together 55 participants from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Some of whom had participated in Terra Madre.
The objectives of the workshop included: -
vii.) Exchange Visits
In enhancing information and skills sharing between farmers and community leaders, NECOFA has organized several exchange visits. Key among them are:-
11 –14th 2005 -Following up Eco farming tour for teachers and school administrators whose objectives include
3/8/2005 Visit to Sue Kahumba of Green Dreams organic farm .42 small scale farmers and extension worker visited the farm and the visit was organized by NECOFA in partnership with ActionAid and a maize and dairy farmers’ lobby called NGOMA.
Objectives for the visit included
17/8/2005 visit to Mafad farm of Mr. Lawrence Njuguna Munyua.
He is an Intensive small scale Dairy farmer near Nairobi. Objectives of the visit were
viii.) Training on off-shore fish farming on 1/9/05 in Molo and follow-up visit to fish farming communities on 13/10/05.
The community in Molo receives fish from the far of lake Victoria and consequently fish is very expensive and only affordable by the more affluent in society.
At the same time the area is very ideal for off shore share fish farming especially in the water logged areas whose land use system is limited.
Towards this end NECOFA organized a one day training for farmers in Molo on 1/9/2005 and invited a fisheries official from Eldoret to facilitate this training in which 62 farmers participated. To demonstrate further the feasibility of this project a follow up tour to 6 farmers to Kesses in Eldoret and Moi University to interact and share with other communities involved in fish farming and have ponds was organized 13/10/2005 In Moi University they learned more about fish pond establishment and management.
OBJECTIVES
ix.) Training on Campaigns ,Advocacy and Lobbying (CAL) for community leaders on 19th – 23rd September 2005.
With Pelum and ActionAid ,NECOFA organized a one week workshop on Campaign ,Advocacy and Lobbying. The training involved 30 leaders of women groups, youth groups and Self Help Groups (S.H.G) whose objectives were
x.) Participation in Njoro Country Club “ Farmers Day /Trade fair” 14th –15th October 2005.
NECOFA was honoured by invitation to participate in a farmer’s day /Trade fair at the club on 14 and 15 October 2005. The event attracted over 70 other exhibitors who displayed, taught and sold products.
NECOFA paid Euro 230 to participate in this event and exhibited a number of eco farming techniques and especially the growing and utilization of Stinging Nettle
(Urtica Masaica). It sold some stinging Nettle products during the exhibition and over 400 people visited its tent.
BRIEF REPORT ON TRAINING:-
PHENOMENOLOGY AND BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE
The training workshop was conducted at Sustainable Agriculture Community Development Programme (SACDEP) Kenya between 11th and 15th July 2005. It brought together over 30 participants from different NGOs based in Kenya and Uganda practicing sustainable methods of farming and dealing with small-holder farmers. It was financed by German Technical Services (GTS) who’s representative Ms. Gerda Bueker, a nutritionist, from Germany also participated.
Facilitator of this workshop was Mr. Tedeu Caldas of Germany. Born in Brazil and moving to Europe, Mr. Tadeu Caldas has been conducting training in the subject for over 20 years and is currently a private consultant undertaking such courses in Europe and Asia.
WORKSHOP BACKGROUND
Phenomenology
Development has been approached from a relatively abstract angle, yet the world is full of different phenomena, which influence outcomes of such implementation efforts. The course was aimed at taking the participants through a process of orienting development approaches considering the diversity of phenomena existing.
Biodynamic Agriculture
As the world was moving towards conventional agriculture, some people in Europe did not appreciate the new approach. With a big contribution from Rudolf Steiner, an approach titled Biodynamic Agriculture was developed. By understanding and using natural forces on earth and the cosmos, thousands of smallholder farmers especially in Europe have perfected the biodynamic approach.
Course Coverage
(i) Phenomenological thinking into development perspective
(ii) Phenomenological considerations in improved project planning and impact achievements
(iii) Biodynamic agriculture methodologies and application in sustainable agriculture for small holder farmers
(iv) Designing and implementing projects using biodynamic agriculture principles.
When one becomes interested in biodynamic agriculture, one will no doubt be confronted with the teachings and philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. Biodynamics according to his teachings is a “renewal of the ancient peasants’; culture of blending of the best of an older consciousness and a newer one”. He wanted farmers, scientists and commercial food interests to form new relationships; and for farmers to develop new faculties of consciousness. But most importantly, he did not think food grown on increasingly impoverished soil could provide sustenance of body and soul. It was the life work of Rudolf Steiner to provide roots of a totally new culture based on the cultural matrix in which it originated. He was a philosopher and a prophet of renewal.
In sustainable agriculture and especially in addressing food and nutrition insecurity; we need to evaluate different phenomena and “cast out” those, which don’t work. We need to come up with modalities of alleviating poverty and food insecurity in Africa. Whatever approaches we apply should include: Compassion; Commitment; Consistence; Competence and Courage (5Cs).
The rationale of conventional agriculture is to “make profits” from intensive commercial farming with little or no regard to the way(s) of doing it. The “end justifies the means” ideology is evident in its implementation.
Phenomenology
The light of the sun, moon, planets and stars reaches the plants in regular rhythms. Each contributes to the life, growth and form of the planets. By understanding the gesture and effect of each rhythm (cosmic rhythms) we can time our farming activities-land preparation, sowing, cultivation and harvesting to the advantage of crops we grow.
Phenomenology is the study of phenomena or “forces of life” in which farming is conducted. It is therefore the understanding of the forces within and around the living things. Just as we need to look at the magnetic field of the whole earth to comprehend the compass, to understand plant life, we must expand our view to include all that affects plant growth, No narrow microscopic view will suffice. Plants are utterly open to and formed by influences from the depth of the earth to the heights of the heavens. In agriculture we should have more broad considerations than is the case now.
Arch-phenomena is the basic phenomena in which plants and animals express their full potential. Plants are direct manifestation of the polarities between darkness (root system in soil) and light (plants growth towards light). Light gives form to the earth and plants. Plant leaves area manifestation of water and the process of circulation, while flowers are manifestations of colour and light and give plants identity. In animal husbandry “balanced feeding” is very important and to avoid “poisons” in feed.
It is important to have an informed consumer market on quality products. Diatomite rock (ash) can be used against ticks in animals.
Biodynamics
Biodynamics is a science of life –forces, a recognition of the basic principles at work in nature and in approach to agriculture which takes these principles into account to bring about balance and healing of the earth. This based on the understanding that the earth has waned too far its vitality lost. Whenever one is, he/she will observe sure signs of illness in trees, cultivated plants, in water and even weather. While organic agriculture and ecofarming rightly attempt to halt the devastation caused by humans, they have little or no cure for the ailing earth. Biodynamic agriculture aims at “returning” original vitality to the earth and all that dwell there on.
It integrates precise observation of the natural phenomena and clear thinking. It relies on careful observation of nature-in shade and full sunshine, in wet and dry areas, on different soils, which will yield a more fluid grasp of the elements. This results in more innovation and creativity that leads to new emphasis and balance through specific actions.
Plant life is intimately bound up with the life of the soil. Biodynamics recognize that soil itself can be alive and this vitality supports and affects the quality and health of the plants grown on it. Biodynamics fundamental effort is to build stable humus in our soils through composing. These approaches of soil fertility management can add great value to ecological farming. Manuring the earth is to make it “alive” (adding life) so that plants grow on healthy, rich and living soil.
The participants were introduced to manure preparations including:-
(i) Dadeline preparations
(ii) Stinging Nettle preparations
(iii) Camamile preparations
(iv) Valarium preparations
(v) Yarrow plant preparation
(vi) Oak preparation
(vii) Cow horn silica preparation
(viii) Horn manure preparation
(ix) Cow parts pit preparation
Conclusions And Recommendations
The course was very rich and inspiring. It gave better understanding of the principles of ecological farming. Integrating biodynamic agriculture technologies in ecofarming will greatly add value to ecofarming; enhance efficacy; reduce drudgery and make it even more acceptable to small, medium and large-scale farming.
It is important that NECOFA learns and adopts biodynamic agriculture practices and uses them to compliment (add value to) ecofarming. Towards this end I suggest that Dr Sahle fund raises towards a two weeks international course on “Phenomenology and Bidynamic Agriculture”. This could be held in Kenya late this year or early next year. InWEnt ; Germany Technical Services(GTS); Miserior ; Biodynamic Associations Worldwide etc could be addressed to finance this workshop.
Biodynamics consultants like Mr Tadeu Caldas could also assist in identifying funding sources (especially if they know they will facilitate it).Demeter International www.demeter.org is involved in certifying biodynamic products and its International Standards Committee works on making it relevant to other regions socially, economically and environmentally. NECOFA can seek collaboration and/or partnership with this organization and the many biodynamic associations worldwide.
Agriculture in most developing and also developed countries is based on crop production. Even in countries, which produce large quantities of milk and meats, pastures, which comprise of plants, are a key factor. Hence EM becomes important in the agricultural sectors of all countries, which strive to enhance productivity while maintaining environmental quality.
The following are guidelines for different regions (although they could be modified to suit specific conditions, but the principles do not change).
General Guidelines
In the tropical regions, apply 200 – 300 g of bokashi per 1 square meter, 2 –3 weeks before crop establishment.
This application should be accompanied by a spray of diluted EM solution (dilution 1: 1,000) at a rate of 1 litre per square meter. The field can then be cultivated. After land preparation, mulch the field with straw, hay or weeds to a thickness of 3 – 5 cm. These materials should not contain any seeds. If these materials are not available, plastic mulch could be applied. The mulch will help retain soil moisture, which in turn activates EM, and also control weeds.
If this preparation cannot be done, bokashi and EM could be applied at the time of crop establishment.
However, the seeds or seedlings should not come into direct contact with bokashi. The bokashi should be spread evenly around the seed or seedling and the dilute EM solution applied. This will induce better seedling establishment and root development.
Nursery Management
A good seedbed is prepared using soil bokashi.
Soak seeds in EM solution (dilution 1: 1000) as an inoculation. The periods of soaking are as follows: -
Small seeds (e.g. mustard) 20 – 30 minutes
Medium seed (e.g. cucumber) 30 – 60 minutes
Large seed (e.g. pumpkin) 2 – 3 hours
If vegetative propagules such as a cut piece of potato, sugar cane and ginger are used, the soaking time is 5 minutes. After seeding or planting spray an EM solution (dilution 1: 500). Thereafter, spray an EM FPE solution (dilution 1: 1,000) at a rate of 1 litre per square meter once in 3 days to facilitate healthy growth. For seedlings purchased from commercial nurseries and are planted in pots, transplanting is recommended after sprinkling EM solution
(dilution 1:1,000) 2 – 3 times during the nursery period. Flooding is not recommended for upland crops.
Field Establishment:
At 5 – 7 days before transplanting, apply a dilute solution of EM (dilution 1: 1000) at a rate of 1 litre per square meter of the field. After transplanting, you could flood irrigate the field using a dilute EM solution (dilution 1: 4000 or 5000). The volume of EM stock solution would depend upon the area of the field and the volume of water required for flood irrigation. If bokashi is to be applied to the planting site, one should do this 10 – 14 days before planting to avoid toxicity problems.
Crop Management:
The application of EM is dependent upon the crop. However, one could apply 1 litre of diluted solution of EM (dilution 1: 1000) per square meter every week for a period of one month after crop establishment.
An increase in application would not cause problems. The number of applications could be reduced once healthy crop growth is observed.
EM FPE helps healthy growth of plants. Hence regular sprays onto leaves at 14-day intervals are recommended. The addition of molasses or the juice of aloe leaves (0.1%) as a sticker into the EM FPE enhances efficacy.
The dilution of EM FPE should be applied as additional manure at time of normal fertilizer application. This could be applied around the crop. In the absence of bokashi, kitchen garbage or animal urine treated with EM could also be applied. Excess bokashi or EM treated manure could cause problems of toxicity.
In all instances, solutions of EM should exceed dilutions of 1: 500 (i.e. 1: 600 etc). A lower dilution would cause problems such as yellowing of leaves due to low pH of the EM solution. If organic matter is available or weeding is carried out, these materials could be used as mulches. The use of agrochemical, especially pesticides reduces the efficacy of EM by 50 – 60%. If these chemicals have to be used, they should be followed by sprays of EM FPE!
Harvest:
At harvesting, remove only the economical parts, and return all crop residues to the field. All damaged or diseased plant could also be added to the field. EM is applied to the crop residue at a dilution of 1: 1000, along with bokashi. The rate of application is 1 litre of the diluted solution to one square meter. Mulch the field with straw or organic debris. The filed would be ready for replanting within 20 – 30 days. A spray of EM at a dilution of 1; 1000 would help prolong the shelf life of fresh vegetable crops.
MIXED CROPPING SYSTEMS
Mixed cropping of vegetables is a common practice, which could also be carried out very successfully with EM. However, the crops should be selected to reduce competitive effects between crops. Planting of the two crops could be done together or at different times. If the planting of one crop is carried out while the other is growing, remove all weeds in the inter row spacing to facilitate sufficient light during germination and early growth. After germination, mulch around the growing plant with grass or weeds to a thickness of 5 cm or more. Thereafter, spray diluted EM (1: 1000) at a rate of 1 litre per square meter. Fermented compost could also be used at a rate of 1 kg per square meter. Do not use unfermented organic matter at any time.
ZERO TILLAGE CULTIVATION WITH EM
Once the quality of soils is enhanced with EM, the organic matter of soil increases. Population of earthworms and beneficial insects also grow, which improves the physical characteristics of the soil. This facilitates the use of zero tillage. In such instances, the planting points are prepared by spot tillage.
Weeds, grass and the crop residue in the field are cut at a height of 5 cm and placed as mulch. EM is sprayed on the mulch at a dilution of 1: 1000 at regular intervals. Bokashi and compost (treated with EM) could also be used at this time.
Direct seedling is preferred in this system to facilitate root development.
The protection of walkways, by wooden planks, bamboo or even grass is recommended in this system. Disturbances to soil by excessive trampling adversely affects the soil ecology. Insecticides and pesticides are not used in this technique. Similarly, crops of the same family are not cultivated on the same land continuously. If the leaves of the growing crop are excessively green, please reduce the application of bokashi and compost. However solutions of EM and EM FPE could be sprayed at dilutions of 1: 1000.
SEED PRODUCTION WITH EM
Most small holder farmers obtain seeds for planting from commercial sources or neighbours. Some do store seed from previous seasons. However, the procurement of good seed is a constant problem to most farmers.
EM technology enables farmers to use their own seed due to the high quality of the produce. Farmers could leave a part of their crops for setting seed and ripening. These seeds could be harvested at full maturity, sprayed with very dilute solution of EM (dilution of 1; 4000) and air-dried. Thereafter these seeds could be stored in airtight conditions under refrigeration or in a dry cool place for future use.
This makes farmers independent and crops grown from these seeds germinate early to produce a healthy vigorous crop capable of producing high yields through EM technology.
ORCHARD CROPS
Orchard crops are perennial species and hence require special attention. Furthermore, one should select the species and varieties suitable for a given climatic regime. EM technology offers the potential of developing very good orchards of fruit trees.
Nursery Management:
Nursery Management is a very important concept in rearing plants for orchards, as these are perennial species. Strong and vigorous seedlings ensure the success and a bountiful harvest for a long period of time. In nursery management, the first step is the preparation of a good medium for establishment. Soil bokashi is an ideal medium especially if forest or virgin soil is used.
Once the bokashi is made, soak seeds, cuttings or grafts in a dilute solution (1: 1000) of EM. The time of soaking would depend on the size of seed, and larger seeds require longer times of immersion. If cuttings are used, place the cuttings on charcoal, and cover with bokashi. Pour the diluted EM solution onto this material to moisten the cutting and charcoal.
The time of treatment depends on the size of the propagule. Large cuttings are generally left overnight.
The treated seeds or propagules are planted in soil bokashi. Once a week diluted (1: 1000) EM is sprayed at the rate of 1 litre per square metre. Bokashi could be added at a rate of 250 – 500 g per square meter and the soil surface mulched regularly with organic debris. EM FPE should also be sprayed at a dilution of 1: 1000 at regular intervals to maintain healthy growth. At the time of flowering, bokashi should not be applied. However, EM could be sprayed at regular intervals after flowering. After harvest, continue the application of EM spray at the same rate (1 litre per square meter) and bokashi (300 – 500 g per square meter), and mulch with organic matter. It is important to note that In special crops such a mango, citrus etc, which are prone to scorching due to sunlight, the provision of shade is important, especially at early stages. In such crops, pruning is required after harvesting to facilitate vegetative growth for the next harvest.
KEY POINTS
1. Mulching with EM:
The provision of grass mulch is an important criterion. It prevents erosion, maintains soil moisture and temperature and a good environment for EM. It suppresses weeds and enhances soil quality by the provision of organic matter. It also provides important nutrients (such as nitrogen and potassium) to crops. In mulching with grass, bokashi or EM diluted with molasses should be applied onto mulch to enhance its value.
2. Sod Culture:
This is the provision of cover crops. Established mixtures of leguminous and graminaceous cover crops in orchards. The cover crops are mowed several times per year and the cuttings used as mulch with EM and Bokashi. This also prevents erosion, increases organic matter and aggregate formation. The use of alternate rows of cover crops in orchards is recommended in EM culture, as it brings excellent results.
3. Irrigation with an open fermenter:
Research has developed a very appropriate system to distribute water with EM. This technique is called an open fermenter and has proven to be very successful.
The fermenter is a concrete tank, made at the entrance of the water channel to the field. The recommended dimensions of a fermenter for 5 hectares are: -
Depth 1.5 m
Width 3.0 m
Length 6.0 m – this is based on using of 1.2 meters per hectare
If the channel is lined with concrete, the fermenter can be located at one site.
In the case of earth lined channels, it would be advisable to have one fermenter to one hectare. The top of the fermenter should be on the same level as the channel.
In making the fermenter, two gates are made at the point of entry and exit of water. The base of the gates should be 25 cm above the base of the water channel, to have a space for holding organic matter.
Fill the fermenter with farmyard or poultry manure or sugarcane and press mud (filter cake) to a depth of 1 meter. This enables the provision of 50 cm of water above the organic matter. Fill the fermenter with water from the channel. Add 60 litres of extended EM to the fermenter and mix well. After 5 – 7 days, the water in the fermenter is applied to the field along with the irrigation water. The gates of the fermenter are so manipulated to enable 80 – 90% of the water in the channel to flow directly along the waterway, while 10 – 20% moves via the fermenter.
The organic matter in the fermenter is agitated regularly during irrigation. The water flowing out of the fermenter will be black in colour and contains metabolites such as amino acids, polysaccharides, organic acid and antioxidants, along with
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