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Foundations For Farming, an alternative for small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

How to prepare compost in 3 weeks?

The preparation of organic liquid fertilizer

eBook Release: Fundamentals of Agricultural Development epublication 

 


Articles


Foundation for farming

Robert Sanou

The technique was updated by a Zimbabwean farmer by the name of Brian Oldreive who, starting from the fact that God planned everything for the earth and concluding that man is at the source of the degradation of his environment. Agriculture is possible on the condition that we do it according to God's plan, hence the name of "Farming God's Way." It consists in not plowing the soil, digging holes about 20 centimeters in diameter and 15 centimeters deep, spaced about 50 to 70 centimeters (depending on the cultivated variety) and putting organic manure there before sowing. After planting, it is advisable to cover the pockets with straw. The seedlings will be separated, leaving only two plants per hole. It is advisable to eliminate the middle or the smallest one.

How to prepare compost in 3 weeks?

Alain Gouba

The decline or even loss of soil fertility is the major challenge faced by more and more farmers around the world in general and especially those in sub-Saharan Africa. Many causes, mainly anthropogenic, are at the origin of this situation. Despite the massive use of chemical fertilizers through price subsidy programs, many farmers are showing that their agricultural yields are continuously decreasing despite a constant increase in the quantities of fertilizers in their fields.

There is, however, a simple, natural, and effective way of restoring fertility to the land. It is composting which is an exceptional alternative to chemical fertilizers and which increases the level of organic nutrients of the soil while helping to restore the natural biotic balance of the soil.

The preparation of organic liquid fertilizer

Bernard Sié Kansié

Faced with the challenges of smallholders in terms of agricultural inputs and the limitations of mineral fertilizer, ECHO's West Africa Impact Center has provided farmers with practical and economic knowledge. One example of this is the technique of manufacturing organic liquid fertilizer.