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Organic Produce Support And Training
Organic farming technologies are an alternative agricultural system which advocates the use of appropriate and affordable farming techniques in improving soil fertility. Fertile land is crucial for sustainable land productivity. Agriculture land is under enormous pressure from soil degradation, deforestation, inappropriate farming and grazing practices and fuel wood shortage. These factors contribute to low agriculture production, hence increased food insecurity.
The training will cover the following modules:
- Module 1- Organizing the training
- Module 2- Understanding Principles of Organic Farming
- Module 3- Organic fertilizers
Organizing the training
Training Preparation
The training process starts with the identification of the available indigenous technologies available in the study area and the knowledge of the trainees on the problem in question. This information is essential when preparing the curriculum for the training. It is important to bear in mind that trainers should come to farmers with concrete proposals of alternative technologies as a basket of tools, which farmers will later adapt to the local conditions.
The main objectives of the workshop are to :
Increase knowledge on land degradation and strategies for sustainable use and conservation of available farm resources in the area.
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Raise awareness on organic farming technologies
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Inform interested parties and local institutions of the overall training process on alternatives
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Identify major land degradation problems
Identify available indigenous technologies and discuss their feasibility
Identify the participants, i.e. agricultural extension workers and farmers for the Training of Trainers (TOT)
Understanding Principles of Organic Farming
Objectives
To gain knowledge and skills of organic farming principles
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Learning methods Group discussion and field visits
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Contents of discussion: Key characteristics of organic farming Principles of organic farming Advantages of organic farming.
The key characteristics of organic farming include :
An understanding of the characteristic of organic farming is fundamental to management of degraded land especially in multiple land use area. Some of these characteristics are:
Protecting the long term fertility of soils by maintaining organic matter levels, encouraging soil biological activity, and careful mechanical intervention
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Nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of legumes and biological nitrogen fixation, as well as effective recycling of organic materials including crop residues and livestock manures
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Weed, disease and pest control relying primarily on crop rotations, intercropping, natural predators, diversity, organic manuring, resistant varieties
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Careful attention to the impact of the farming system on the wider environment and the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats.
The key characteristics of organic farming include:
Soil and water conservation
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Efficient use of soil nutrients
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Efficient use of space
