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!