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Striga is a parasitic weed which “bewitches” maize, millet and sorghum; hencesmall sticky seeds which can remain in the soil for over 20can only germinate when they sense the presence of a host crop, from which they suck food.

An explaination of how soil gets compacted and how you can assess this with your farmers.

IRRI breeds and introduces advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as ooding, drought, and other harmful e ects of climate change. The Institute develops new and improved methods and technologies that enable farmers to manage their farms pro tably and sustainably. IRRI recommends rice varieties and agricultural practices suitable to particular farm conditions and consumer preferences. Finally, IRRI assists national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) in formulating and implementing national rice sector strategies and programs.

Access Agriculture is a group of passionate people devoted to promoting effective agricultural training videos for the benefit of farmers and rural businesses.

To develop local language versions, mass multiply and disseminate agricultural training videos, Access Agriculture collaborates with more than 200 communication professionals across the globe.

The information in this guide to making and using compost has been developed from working with Ethiopian smallholder farmers since 1996, particularly in the dry and degraded highlands of northern Ethiopia. It is based on the Tigrinya booklet by Arefayne Asmelash (1994 EC/2002 GC), the ISD Project Of cer based in Mekele, Tigray. It is hoped that smallholder farmers and local agricultural experts in many parts of the world, and particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, will be able to identify and use the most appropriate and applicable method for making compost in their own areas.

Growing concerns relating to land degradation, threat to eco-systems from over and inappropriate use of inorganic fertilizers, atmospheric pollution, soil health, soil biodiversity and sanitation have rekindled the global interest in organic recycling practices like composting. The potential of composting to turn on-farm waste materials into a farm resource makes it an attractive proposition. Composting offers several benefits such as enhanced soil fertility and soil health – thereby increased agricultural productivity, improved soil biodiversity, reduced ecological risks and a better environment.

The publication of this field manual has been a significant achievement for SSLLP. Each module in this series forms the basic information required for training of community animal health workers selected by and based within their respective communities. The field manual is based on practical local knowledge with assistance from government departments, FAO and academic institutions. It has already been widely used as the basis of training programs for some 600 community animal health workers. Its publication has been made possible through the generous assistance of the Flemish International Cooperation Agency (FICA).

This manual aims to present information that will enable veterinary departments and development agencies to implement a sustainable Newcastle Disease control program. Topics discussed include the characteristics of ND, collection and submission of samples for the diagnoses of ND, ND control measures emphasising vaccination with thermostable vaccines, gender and ethnoveterinary aspects of ND control and the development of an extension program for ND control.

Overview of Integrated Manure Management Integrated Manure Management is the optimal handling of livestock manure from collection, through storage and treatment up to application (crops and aquaculture). Through this process it is possible to prevent nutrient losses to a large extent under the site-specific circumstances. Healthy soils produce more food and are more resilient to climate change. Manure contains nutrients and organic matter essential for good soil fertility and soil health. Manure is a valuable resource of crop fertilizer, soil amendment and renewable energy. Manure is not a waste; not properly using manure is a waste.

Genetics makes use of natural variation among animals. Selecting preferred animals as parents can yield permanent and cumulative improvements in the population. More efficient animals can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and feed costs. Breeding, including cross-breeding between indigenous and imported species, can also improve resilience to diseases and heat stress and increase reproductive performance.