Participants of SATNET interregional visit take part in Workshop on Good Practices in Trade Facilitation

On day 4 (26 September 2014) of the Interregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors on Agricultural Trade Facilitation and Market Linkages in Thailand, the participants took part in the ‘SATNET Asia Workshop on Good Practices in Agricultural Trade Facilitation in South and Southeast Asia’ organized by the Trade and Investment Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in collaboration with multiple partners, in Bangkok. The objective of the workshop was to enable inter- and intra-regional learning among participating countries on policies, measures, initiatives, projects or cases that facilitate trade of agriculture or food products.

Close to 40 delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Nepal representing government, private sector and civil society stakeholders participated in the workshop. The various sessions focussed on cases and processes relating to agricultural trade facilitation, good practices in logistics and trade facilitation, and the emergence of standards and traceability. A number of senior policymakers and experts served as resource persons and shared their knowledge and experience with the participants. 

During the wrap up session of the workshop, participants provided their feedback on both the Interregional Visit and the Workshop. They conveyed that the site visits to Kasetsart University, Thayang farmers cooperative, Talaad Thai wholesale market, and Sampran Riverside resort had enhanced their capacities and provided them useful knowledge and practical insights which they will implement and disseminate in their home countries. The need for continuing a network like SATNET beyond the immediate duration of the project was also expressed. In the workshop, the sharing of cases from various countries and the discussion on Traceability were found to be particularly relevant. 

Participants of SATNET interregional visit learn about wholesale market operations and organic farming

Talaad Thai wholesale market

On day 3 (25 September 2014) of the Interregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors on Agricultural Trade Facilitation and Market Linkages in Thailand, the participants visited the Talaad Thai Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market in Pathumthani province near Bangkok - one of the largest fruit and vegetable wholesale markets in Thailand. They were welcomed by the senior management of the company who presented an overview of the operations of the market. Talaad Thai is spread over an area of 200 acres, with a capacity of handling 15,000 tons of produce a day and having a daily cash flow of 400 – 500 million Thai Baht (USD 12 – 15 million). It is divided into various zones, each dedicated to trading of a particular product or product category. The revenue of the company comes from commissions paid by permanent traders (who are allotted a permanent trading space in the market), entrance fee from non-permanent traders, and rentals for office space.

The participants visited the vegetable, seafood and fish, fruits, and flower trading zones to get a first-hand feel of how the market operates. They also visited the waste recycling facility, and the contamination testing laboratory which tests 150 random samples every day to ensure the quality of the produce marketed at Talaad Thai. The participants keenly observed various aspects of the market and sought additional information from the staff for a better understanding of the market. Participants from Bangladesh conveyed the visit was very useful for their plans to set up a local wholesale market in their home country.

Visit to farmers resource centre at Sampran riverside 

In the afternoon, the participants visited the Sampran Riverside resort in Sampran district which is implementing an innovative social enterprise to develop a value chain of organic producers. The ‘Sampran Model’ project has been promoting organic practices in the local farming community to break the vicious cycle of chemical inputs – land degradation – pest resurgence - more chemical inputs – increase in debt and health problems. In addition to advocating the benefits of organic farming and providing training to farmers, the project helps in marketing of the produce through the ‘TalatSookjai’ weekend market and sourcing for the resort’s own needs. It is also enabling market linkages for farmers with five-star hotels and offices in Bangkok. The project represents a partnership between the local community, private sector (for financial support), local government agencies and universities (for knowledge and training). Two hundred and twenty five local farmers have enlisted their interest in taking up organic farming and some of them have already attained organic certification from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). The participants saw a presentation on the project, and expressed strong interest in the outcomes and new perspectives emerging from the project. They also visited the resource centre run by the resort for farmers and learnt about various tools and products such as soil analysis kit, organic plant growth promoters, botanical insecticides, trichoderma (a beneficial fungi), and vermicompost.  

Group photo

SATNET interregional visit participants visit organic banana producer group

Presentation on Thayang Agriculture Cooperative

On day 2 (24 September 2014) of the ongoing Interregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors on Agricultural Trade Facilitation and Market Linkages in Thailand, the participants visited the Thayang Agriculture Cooperative, a farmers cooperative and producer group in Phetchaburi province that has been producing and exporting organic banana to Japan since 1992. 

Air-drying of banana

The participants were welcomed by the cooperative staff who presented an overview of the work of the cooperative. Established in 1966, the cooperative currently has 2,100 members and provides saving, financing, product collection, and marketing services to the members. It offers technical support through extenionists for organic cultivation practices, loans for investing in agricultural inputs, and assistance with marketing for banana as well as other fruits and vegetables produced by the members, thus eliminating the role of middlemen and enabling realization of higher prices by the members. Export of bananas to Japan takes place under a business agreement and annual contract. The production takes place as per Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards, and is closely monitored through maintenance of records and orchard visits by staff in order to ensure quality. Apart from the export market in Japan, the bananas are also supplied to leading hotel and supermarket chains in Thailand. 

Bar-coding

The participants visited the processing facility of the cooperative wherein they were able to see operations like delivery of bananas from the producers, washing and cleaning, air drying, packaging, and bar coding. A paper-based traceability system is in place for recording information on the banana production.   

  

Participants at Thayang Agriculture Cooperative

Fifth SATNET interregional visit begins in Thailand with focus on agricultural trade facilitation and market linkages

The fifth and final SATNET Interregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors on Agricultural Trade Facilitation and Market Linkages (23-26 September 2014) has commenced in Thailand. The event provides practical exposure to key stakeholders in South and Southeast Asia to good practices and technologies in agricultural trade facilitation and the development of market linkages as a means to address food security and poverty reduction, and involves site visits in Bangkok and neighbouring districts. Close to forty participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Nepal including representatives of the Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture, small-scale agri-business operators, industry associations concerned with agricultural trade and marketing, farmer associations and smallholder cooperatives engaged in exports are taking part.

The visit has been organized by the Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture (CAPSA) and the Trade and Investment Division (TID) of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), in partnership with Kasetsart University, Thailand.

Presentation on postharvest for horticulture

On day 1 (23 September), the participants visited the Kamphaeng Saen campus of Kasetsart University (KU) in Nakon Pathom province. Dr. Panatda Kasikitwiwat from the Center of Excellence in Logistics at KU made a presentation on logistics and supply chain for agriculture to provide an overview on the main theme of the visit. Concepts on logistics and supply chain as well as innovations in agro-logistics were discussed. This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Apita Bunsiri of KU’s Postharvest Technology Center on postharvest for horticulture and postharvest technology alternatives for fruits and vegetables. During the session, the physiology of fruits and vegetables as well as various technologies and practices for reducing postharvest losses and increasing the shelf life of the produce in the preharvest, handling, packaging, storage and transportation stages were covered in depth. Dr. Bunsiri shared a number of practical tips from her own experience in working with farmers and transferring good practices to them – both in Thailand and other countries like Nepal and Cambodia - and provided useful suggestions for exporting produce to key markets in Asia, Europe and North America. The session emphasised low-cost methods that utilize materials available locally with the farmers (eg. ways to prevent bruising of the fruits, hot water treatment, use of edible-grade wax, and Zero Energy Cooling Chamber). 

Laboratory sessions

The presentations were complemented by a session in the lab where some of the techniques for packaging and preservation of products like mango, chilli, lemon and pomelo to extend their shelf lives were demonstrated (eg. use of bio-plastic). The participants were able to compare the results of the technologies vis-a-vis control (untreated) samples. 

Overall, the sessions were marked with active discussions and enthusiastic interaction between the participants and the experts, and the participants were also able to share their own knowledge and ideas. 

Intraregional visit participants in India see floating vegetable gardens on concluding day

Floating vegetable garden

Home nursery for vegetable seedlings

On the concluding day of the SATNET intraregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors in India (6 September 2014), the participants saw the floating vegetable garden technology bring promoted by Concern Universal and the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi with technical support from Helvetas in selected districts of the state of Assam in northeast India. In the backdrop of climate change, this technology is especially relevant for food and nutrition security of vulnerable groups in flood prone areas. Water hyacinth, which is usually considered unproductive, is collected, beaten with sticks to form a floating bed, and allowed to decompose for 20 days. The bed of decomposed hyacinth is then used to grow vegetables which is otherwise not possible to do in the rainy season. Moreover, once the vegetable cultivation is over, the fertile decomposed water hyacinth material is compressed into compact balls and used for raising vegetable seedlings in a home nursery. The seedlings are then transplanted into the field once flood waters recede, thus reducing the time required to grow vegetables by around 20 days. Given its potential for addressing nutrition security, the floating vegetable garden technology was enthusiastically received by participants with in-depth interaction taking place with the local farmers. 

Low-cost vermicompost pit

At other sites visited on the day, the participants were given a practical demonstration of a low-cost innovation for making a Vermicompost pit. Usually a concrete pit is recommended, but this can prove expensive for farmers. The cost can be reduced by making a pit within a bamboo frame, enclosed from the sides and below with a sheet of plastic. Layers of organic matter, cow dung and soil are added in addition to earthworms. The compost created is very rich in nutrients. The liquid by-product obtained in the process is also good for soil application as a growth promoter.

Upon return to Delhi at the end of the day, a brief wrap-up session was conducted to obtain feedback from farmers and to award them certificates of participation. The participants highlighted the usefulness of the practical exposure they had gained as well as the learning about new ways of implementing existing processes. Organic farming practices and certification, preparation of bio-inputs for pest management and enhancing plant growth, and the floating vegetable garden technology were found to be particularly valuable. The participants committed to applying the knowledge gained for promoting sustainable agriculture in their own communities.    

Study tour participants visit Assam State in India in second stage of the tour

Participants of the SATNET intraregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors taking place in India began the second stage of the visit in Guwahati in Assam state in north-eastern India on day 4 (5 September 2014). It part of the visit is organized by CAPSA in partnership with Concern Universal and the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (a Guwahati-based NGO) which are implementing a European Union-funded project titled ‘Cross-border Transfer of Agricultural Technologies, Institutional and Market Development’. The project aims at improving food security and nutrition for vulnerable groups in border areas of India and Bangladesh.

Demonstration of bio-inputs

The participants visited an organic vegetable collection centre in Rangamatti village of Darrang district which is operated on a cooperative model by a group of women members. The centre aims to enable smallholders to better market their produce, both through traders as well as a local weekly vegetable market. Collective marketing can also help them to sell in bulk, better negotiate the selling price, and realize higher incomes. This initiative is complemented through training in organic cultivation practices provided through Local Service Providers (LSPs) for which the villagers pay a token amount.

Preparation of Bordeaux mixture

Pheromone trap for pest control

Subsequently, the participants attended a community meeting and demonstration in Barathekerabari village where they were shown various products and techniques for sustainable agriculture production. These included low-cost Pheromone Trap to control pests, enhanced compost making using bio-organic inputs available in the market, and health products made from banana tree stems. A step-by-step demonstration of preparing Bordeaux Mixture (a safe fungicide) was also given. During the demonstrations, participants also shared their experiences of using some of these techniques in their home countries.   

Sustainable technologies demonstrated to participants of SATNET intraregional visit in India

Insect light trap

On day 3 (4 September, 2014) of the SATNET intraregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors being conducted in India, the participants were given a detailed demonstration of innovative products and practices for pest control. These included preparation of a herbal pest repellent and a ginger, garlic and chilli solution, demonstration of an insect light trap, and a technique for rat control. All the products and practices showcased were simple and low cost, and can be implemented using locally available material.  

Participants at Kolungi ecological farm

A feedback session was held to wrap up the visit to the Kudumbam site in Tamil Nadu (first phase of the visit). During the session, the participants highlighted Integrated Pest Management and bio-control techniques, promotion of organic farming practices at the community level, and collection of traditional knowledge as among the key learnings. They emphasized that they would disseminate this knowledge to their communities upon returning home and showcase the innovative products and technologies they had seen. 

SATNET intraregional visit participants learn about participatory approaches and organic farming practices in India

Farmer field school session

Farmer field school discussion

On day 2 (3 September, 2014) of the SATNET intraregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors in South Asia which is currently ongoing in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India, the participants took part in a hands-on Farmers Field School session on paddy cultivation. The objective of the session was to demonstrate participatory research aimed at finding community-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture. During the session, the participants divided into groups and conducted Agro Ecosystem Analysis in a paddy field along with local farmers. They noted parameters like type of soil, age, height and density of the plants, number of tillers, types of pests and farmer-friendly predators etc. The parameters were analysed by each group and recommendations for Integrated Crop Management were presented to the village community for deliberation and adoption. There was keen interest within the local community to adopt some of the recommendations from other countries (eg. transplanting paddy along with the soil that holds its root, and use of human urine as a pesticide). 

Preparation of Panchkavya

Later in the day, the participants were given a step-by-step demonstration for preparation of various bio-inputs such as Panchkavya (a plant growth promoter and bio-pesticide made from cow urine and other ingredients), vermicompost, and Azola (a bio-fertilizer). A low-cost method for selecting high quality paddy seeds was also demonstrated, to which one of the participants added his knowledge of seed selection for wheat. The demonstrations were performed by volunteers from amongst the visiting group to ensure better absorption of the knowledge.

Another interesting activity was the participants’ interaction with lead farmers from organic farmer groups in the area. As a result of Kudumbam’s outreach efforts, 500 local farmers across 50 farmer groups have now successfully received organic certification from INDOCERT – a certification company - enabling them to market their products in major cities for higher prices and even target export to other countries. Given that organic produce certification is still not available or is in nascent stages in many South Asian countries, there was strong interest amongst the participants in the certification process and Kudumbam’s strategy for adoption of organic farming at the community level. The certification process is based on the ‘Internal Control System’ where a farmer group is itself responsible for maintaining full documentation and monitoring of organic practices in addition to the assessment performed by the company.

At the end of the day, the visitors were shown a film made by Kudumbam showcasing the NGO’s efforts in establishing 400 acres of community forest in 11 villages to enable ground water recharging and improvement of soil fertility.

Fourth SATNET intraregional visit for smallholder value chain actors commences in India

The fourth SATNET intraregional visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors is underway in India (1-7 September 2014). This visit focuses on the South Asia region and includes participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal representing farmer associations, village community groups, and extension workers from NGOs and government agencies. It aims to promote learning and knowledge exchange on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), climate resilient agriculture and post-harvest management. The Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture (CAPSA) is collaborating with the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) and three NGO partners - Kudumbam, Concern Universal and RGVN – to organize this event.

Discussing tree varieties in Kolunji farm

Following a welcome and orientation session on 1 September in New Delhi, the participants travelled to Tiruchirapalli in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on 2 September for commencement of the site visits hosted by Kudumbam. The NGO coordinates a network called ‘Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture’ (LEISA) and has been preserving traditional knowledge of farmers. It actively promotes organic farming practices and has established the ‘Kolunji Ecological Farm cum Training Centre’ spread over 30 acres as a learning and demonstration resource for the local farming community. This land was infertile and barren when the initiative was started in 1990 owing to low soil bio-mass and rainfed, moisture-deficient conditions. Over time, the soil has been rejuvenated by rainwater harvesting through 11 recharge tanks dug across the farm, building of bunds, and planting of drought tolerant tree varieties (for fruit, fuel and fodder) whose root systems allow moisture to percolate down. As a result, the farm is very green with the water table available at a depth of 45 feet as compared to 100 - 1000 feet in neighbouring areas. Livestock and poultry farming also provide manure for increasing soil biomass. A nursery provides the local farming community with many useful varieties.

Demo of vermicomposting

They participants saw vermicomposting and production of Azola (a bio-fertilizer) on the farm. They were also able to see various tree varieties having special properties or uses such as Soapnut (seeds provide a natural shampoo), Red Sandal (used in atomic research facilities as it absorbs radiation), Acha (wood used to makes musical instruments), Rosewood (high value timber) and Symaruba (effective in treatment of cancer). These varieties are available or can be grown all over Asia and are suitable for rainfall deficient areas, so their planting can be replicated in other countries as a sustainable practice. Many traditional fruit varieties like custard apple and wood apple which are drought resistant and are a good source of minerals and vitamins have also been grown to demonstrate useful alternatives to commonly planted fruit trees like orange and apple.

Participants sharing their own knowledge

The day was marked with enthusiastic interactions and knowledge sharing between Kudumbam staff and the visitors. In the evening, a self-introduction session was organized which provided the participants with an opportunity to share more about their work and the technologies they are applying in their own countries. Suggestions were also received for using other tree varieties (eg. from Bhutan) that can serve as more powerful agents for water recharge in the soil, and for setting up a bio-gas unit on Kolunji Farm to provide a source of cooking gas as well as slurry (manure). 

A request for organization of more such SATNET intraregional visits was received from Bhutan.

The day ended with a lively cultural performance by children from Kolunji’s orphan-home to welcome the visitors!

SATNET intraregional visit wraps up in Nepal with participants expressing satisfaction with new knowledge gained

On the fourth day (22 Aug 2014) of the SATNET Intraregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors, the participants first visited an organic vegetable collection centre run by a local Marketing and Planning Committee (MPC) near Tansen in Palpa district. The centre is supported by iDE in partnership with local NGOs and the private sector, and follows a market-led approach with a crop calendar prepared keeping in view market demand and prices in order to enable good returns for the farmers.

Off-season tomato cultivation under plastic house

The group also visited the Chirtungdhara Village Development Committee (VDC) where the participants observed with keen interest a technique for off-season (rainy season) tomato cultivation. The creepers are grown under a ‘plastic house’ along bamboo poles fixed in the ground which helps to prevent waterlogging. Drip irrigation is used for watering the crop. Such off-season cultivation allows the farmers to obtain higher prices for their produce. The technique was initially demonstrated by iDE in the area and has now been adopted by a large number of farmers. 

Multiple water use system collection tank

Another interesting technology seen was the Multiple Use Water System (MUS). A highland drinking water source feeds a collection tank for drinking water. The overflow from this tank is channelled to a second collection tank for irrigation (including drip irrigation purposes) so that drinking water use is prioritized over irrigation. Distribution to end users at downhill locations takes place through a network of pipes. This technology is suitable for hilly areas, and supports climate change adaptation through water resource conservation. It is particularly helpful for women who otherwise have to climb long distances to collect drinking water for their households. A committee of community members is constituted to manage and monitor the operation of the MUS. In this context, the visitors also suggested rain water harvesting and its storage in concrete tanks to augment water availability for households in the community.

Community meeting at Chidipani MPC

Finally, the group visited an MPC/Collection Centre at Chidipani VDC and obtained in-depth information on the work of the MPC which has now been successfully constituted as a cooperative. The MPC’s activities include promotion of IPM, training of farmers, vegetable collection, post-harvest support, and marketing, and mobilization of savings. The visitors took a tour of the farm of a progressive farmer during which a number of useful techniques and farm machinery were demonstrated. 

Participants with their certificates

At the end of the day, the participants provided feedback on the visit at a Warp Up meeting held in Kathmandu. It was expressed that this visit had provided a unique, hands-on learning opportunity for smallholder representatives, and that they had received (as well as shared) much new knowledge and ideas. Some of the areas/technologies that were cited as particularly useful were irrigation systems (including drip irrigation and MUS), off-season tomato cultivation under plastic house, IPM practices, bio-gas production, and aquaculture techniques. The participants conveyed their strong intent to apply and disseminate the learning upon return to their home countries. All of them were also awarded certificates of participation by CAPSA and iDE for taking part in the visit. 

South Asian farmers and community leaders exchange knowledge on sustainable agriculture during Nepal visit

Bio-gas unit component

The third day of the SATNET Intraregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors in South Asia, currently underway in Nepal, commenced with a visit to Majgaun village in Rupandehi district. A revolving fund established for the village community by an iDE project has enabled many households to set up low-cost bio-gas generation units which utilize cow dung and human excreta. These units have brought many benefits such as smoke-free cooking, greater cleanliness and better health conditions. The slurry from the bio-gas digesters is also applied in farmers’ fields as manure, resulting in cost saving on account of the reduced application of chemical fertilizers. Some of the visitors shared their experience of using bio-gas to run water pumps in their countries, and of establishing larger-scale, community-owned bio-gas units. Apart from bio-gas, the revolving fund has also been utilized to promote Treadle Pumps for irrigation purposes. 

Butwal fruit and vegetable wholesale market

In the second half of the day, the group visited a fruit and vegetable wholesale market at Butwal on the way to the hill town of Tansen in Palpa district. This is the second largest wholesale market in Nepal and an important agro-trading centre established as a public private partnership with financial contributions from the government, the local municipality and traders. The group interacted with the market’s senior management and learnt how it has grown over time and how it functions effectively including through linkages with village level Marketing and Planning Committees (MPCs) which act as collection points for farmers’ produce. 

During the day, the participants also visited nearby Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha and a famous UNESCO World Heritage site.

SATNET intraregional visit participants learn about innovative production, marketing and community mobilization practices in Nepal

On the second day of the SATNET Intraregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors in South Asia, taking place in Nepal, the participants were exposed to an interesting marketing model for agricultural inputs that is being promoted by iDE Nepal through financial and technical support under its ‘Challenge Fund’ initiative. ‘Agrovets’ or private agricultural input suppliers who usually market their products only from their shops, have engaged ‘Community Business Facilitators’ (CBFs) who are members of the local community. The CBFs act as sales agents and undertake marketing of the inputs directly at the village level, gaining a commission from the proceeds. This has been a win-win model for all, with the Agrovet achieving increased sales of upto four times as a result of better marketing outreach, the CBFs obtaining additional income from their commission, and the farmers gaining access to good quality seeds/inputs which are delivered on time right at their doorsteps. The fact that the CBFs are chosen from the local community itself promotes trust and assurance against any fraudulent practices or cheating. The Challenge Fund has supported training and awareness building activities for farmers, thus strengthening the model.

  

Treadle pump

Off-season vegetable production

The visiting group interacted with members of the Sagarmatha Farmer Group in Nawalparasi district which is practising IPM for vegetable production. Based on a collective assessment of market demand, the group develops a participatory production plan that specifies the vegetables to be grown by group members, how much area to be devoted to each crop, which varieties to use etc. in order to help optimize profit. The group saw off-season (rainy season) production of vegetables like brinjal on raised bunds to protect the crop from waterlogging. It also observed use of Treadle Pump which is a low-cost irrigation technology introduced by iDE in Nepal from Bangladesh. Over time, iDE has been able to scale up the off-season vegetable production and Treadle Pump technologies in this area. On their part, in the context of IPM, one of the participants from Pakistan shared his knowledge about how to prepare a low-cost botanical pesticide using Neem tree kernels.  

The visitors had an in-depth interaction with the local Marketing and Planning Committee (MPC) of vegetable growers in Devgaun VDC, which has won an award from the Nepalese Government. The role of the MPC is collection of the produce from members and providing backward and forward/marketing linkages. The coordination of production and marketing through the MPC enables the growers to bargain better with traders to realize higher prices. They also receive some insurance and training support from the MPC. Once again, the visitors were able to provide numerous suggestions to the MPC to enhance its services such as utilizing Information and Communication Technology (eg. SMS) to disseminate information about market prices to members.

Observing oil distillation unit

Towards the end of the day, the group visited the Chisapani Community Forestry Group which is operating an Oil Distillation Unit for Methanol, lemon grass and other oils. The Unit sources raw material from a women’s community group that cultivates these crops on otherwise fallow community-owned land. Apart from providing additional income to the women and the community, this technology helps in carbon sequestration through agro-forestry. The group also visited a farm machinery Local Service Provider (LSP) to learn about use of Zero Till Seed Drill (requiring less water), Laser Land Leveller and Bed Maker, and observed Direct Seeded Rice technology vis-à-vis the conventional rice production technique. 

Third SATNET intraregional visit for smallholder value chain actors commences in Nepal 

The third in the series of SATNET Intraregional Visits for Smallholder Value Chain Actors is being organized in Nepal in partnership with International Development Enterprises (iDE) Nepal from 18-23 August, 2014. This visit is focused on South Asia with a thematic emphasis on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), climate resilient agriculture, and post-harvest issues which are of strong relevance to the region. Eighteen participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan are taking part in the visit, representing progressive farmers, village community leaders and NGO extension workers. 

On 19 Aug, the participants travelled from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa in South Nepal which is close to a cluster of iDE’s project sites including the European Union-funded Agriculture and Nutrition Extension Project (ANEP). A welcome and briefing session was held wherein the participants were provided with an overview of the SATNET project and the objectives of this visit, as well as a background of iDE Nepal and its projects. 

Solar power water pump

The first site visit was to Madhuri Village Development Committee (VDC) in Rupandehi district where the participants participated in a village community meeting. The community has organized itself into a farmer cooperative with a majority of women members, and has become a model for IPM. In fact, the village has now gone completely organic and is free from application of chemical pesticides. Bio-fertilizers such as Trichoderma (a beneficial fungi) are also used. There is now growing interest amongst traders to buy organic produce from the village. The visitors observed technologies such as a solar power water pump (a climate change adaptation technology for water scarce areas being piloted by iDE) and Xylum pump (with foot pedals for pumping water and particularly suitable for hilly areas). 

Participants interacting with local community on IPM

The participants also visited Pathkhauli and Siktahan VDCs where they observed how farmers have increased their income and nutritional intake for themselves as well as their communities through fish nurseries/aquaculture (practiced both in small water tanks as well as in large ponds). They also saw dyke vegetable farming techniques where farmers are utilizing raised bunds along the edges of fish ponds for organic cultivation of vegetables.

Aquaponic and vegetable production

Finally, at Chhipagadh VDC, the visitors were provided with a demonstration of an Axial Flow Pump which utilizes power from a common tractor to irrigate large areas (70-80 hectares) and represents a technology which can be adopted collectively at the community level, or even be provided on an hourly-charge basis through Local Service Providers. At the same site, they observed aquaponics technology where a caged area in a pond is used for rearing fish which are released into the larger pond upon maturity. Moreover, a bamboo frame structure extending from the edges of the pond over the water provides additional space for cultivating vegetables (particularly creeper varieties).  

The day was marked with enthusiastic interaction between the visitors and the local communities. Apart from learning from the sites they visited, the visitors also shared their own experiences and suggestions for improvement with the communities, making this an exciting two-way learning and enrichment process! 

Second SATNET intraregional visit concludes in Cambodia

Annadya presentation

On the fourth and final day of the SATNET intraregional visit for smallholder value chain actors in Cambodia, participants gathered in Phnom Penh for a half-day wrap up session to review the outcomes of the visit. Representatives from two other projects supported by the European Union as part of its ‘Technology Transfer for Food Security in Asia’ programme also utilized this opportunity to present about their work as well as share the results and learning. The first was the ‘Annadya’ project being implemented by Université Libre de Bruxelles, CEDAC, and other partners to promote appropriate technologies for smallholders to increase food security among ethnic minorities in Cambodia and Lao PDR. Of particular interest to the participants was the discussion on cricket farming as a means of increasing food security, which was complemented with a small demo of the equipment and process involved. The second project was the Food Technology Project of the French Red Cross that is enabling access to secure water, secure food and nutrition to communities in two provinces in Cambodia and Lao PDR. 

During the session, the participants provided feedback to the organizers on the visit. A number of them conveyed that they were inspired by the technologies and impactful work they had seen, particularly in relation to organic farming, mobilization of rural saving groups, and creation of producer cooperatives for profitable marketing of agricultural products. They reaffirmed their intension to utilize and disseminate the learning upon returning to their home countries, and thanked the organizers for providing them a valuable opportunity. 

Participants with their certificates

The visit concluded with distribution of certificates of participation to the group by the Executive Director of CEDAC.    

SATNET intraregional visit participants visit progressive farmers and marketing facilities

Meeting with organic vegetable
producer group

On the third day of the SATNET intraregional visit for smallholder value chain actors in Cambodia, the participants visited a progressive lady farmer in Kampong Chnang province who started organic farming in 2007 due to ill health resulting from exposure to chemical pesticides and fertilizers. During an in-depth interaction with the visitors, she shared what kind of practices she applies on her farm, and how she has successfully established an organic vegetable producers group (comprising mostly of women). By switching to organic farming, with the produce sold to CEDAC’s Agri-Product Shops, she has been able to increase her income significantly and has achieved better health. She also shared her learning on how organic farmers can maximize the yield on their farms by utilizing liquid fertilizer made from cow urine, having a planting schedule, and selecting high quality seeds.

At CEDAC's marketing outlet

The participants also visited a warehouse and Nature Agri-Product Shop of CEDAC in Phnom Penh which markets organic produce supplied by farmers. This shop which runs on a cooperative model provides a very useful marketing channel to the farmers and helps them realize prices for their produce which are 20 – 30% higher than the usual market rates. Over recent times, the demand for organic produce sold through these shops has outstripped supply, giving a boost to organic farming.       

Participants of the intraregional visit in Cambodia gain knowledge from organic farmers and farmer cooperative members

Visit to progressive farmer, Takeo province

The second day of the SATNET Intraregional Visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors in Cambodia comprised of visits from Phnom Penh to various farmer locations in the neighbouring Takeo province. At the first site visited, a progressive farmer is implementing organic farming and sustainable practices with support from CEDAC. The group saw integrated and multipurpose farming techniques including System of Rice Intensification (SRI), fruit and vegetable cultivation, aquaculture (which also enriches nutrients in water for irrigation) and poultry rearing. A number of innovative ways to cope with irrigation water scarcity in times of climate change and practising safe pest control were demonstrated. 

Demo of innovative and safe method for pest control

The group then visited a woman farmer who has recently won an award for obtaining high yield of rice (7.3 tons per hectare) and profit from practising SRI. She shared tips from her own experience for maximizing the yield such as rotation between rice and vegetable crops, ideal time for transplanting saplings, effective water management, and use of compost made from cow dung. The visitors also saw demonstration plots showing a comparison between the performance of SRI and conventional rice cultivation techniques.  

Visiting a rice mill cooperative

Apart from the above, during the day, the visitors were exposed to farmer savings groups supported by CEDAC which are playing an important role in promoting financial self-reliance in rural areas. A number of such groups have established farmer cooperatives which are bringing tangible benefits to their members such as establishing warehouses and rice milling units in order to corner a greater share of profits, enabling greater bargaining power vis-a-vis buyers to help realize better prices, and generally allowing farmers greater control over the value chain. The visitors enjoyed the opportunity for interaction with such stakeholders to learn from their experience.