Coffee Parchment as a Feed Supplement for Dairy Cattle
Echoes from our Network: Paddy Rice Seed Assessment Using Salt and Eggs
From ECHO's Seed Bank: Wild Marigold for Natural Pest Control and More
Books, Websites, and Other Resources: Compendium of Forgotten Foods in Africa
Articles
Poly-propagators
Lauren Daniels-Judge
Poly-propagators are enclosures made of polyethylene (clear plastic) or plexiglass where you can grow plant material in a protected environment. These enclosed (or partially enclosed) structures increase humidity and resist temperature fluctuations for better success in propagating plants from cuttings and seeds. Poly-propagators stand out as a unique resource and appropriate technology for creating controlled environments in places where farmers have limited access to electricity, water, and supplies. This article discusses the purpose and use of poly-propagators for small-scale farmers and nursery owners. It also contains basic construction information.
Wild Marigold for Natural Pest Control and More
Robert Walle
The ECHO seedbank now has a type of marigold, Tagetes minuta (Asteraceae family.), that is different from the ornamental ones (e.g., T. patula and T. erecta) that gardeners may be used to. Native to South America, and spread worldwide with Spanish influence, T. minuta was first introduced into the USA to control root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in California (CABI, 2021). T. minuta leaves are consumed, processed into essential oils, and used as a biopesticide. The FAO lists it as a weed (FAO, 2024), edible flower/spice (FAO, 2017), and illustrates its use for nematode control (FAO, 2015).
Coffee Parchment as a Feed Supplement for Dairy Cattle
Jonathan Ribich, Patrick Trail, Boonsong Thansrithong, and Abram Bicksler
This article summarizes ECHO research conducted by Boonsong Thansrithong, Abram J. Bicksler, and Patrick J. Trail.
ECHO Asia staff conducted this research with a main objective of replacing a portion of the purchased fiber component in dairy cattle feed with free coffee parchment and evaluating its effects on milk production. Our research is relevant to regions where coffee parchment does not have high demand and can be obtained at no cost. Farmers interested in this feed option must consider the time, labor, and transportation costs associated with using coffee parchment resources.
Paddy Rice Seed Assessment Using Salt and Eggs
Abena Konadu Oppong
This article describes a cost-effective way of assessing the quality of paddy rice (Oryza sativa) seed before storing and planting. You will need water, salt, and eggs. This technique has been tried and tested by more than ten rice farmers in the Atwima Nwabiagya district in Ghana, West Africa. These farmers adopted it based on natural observation and interaction with other farmers.