Post on 08-Oct-2020
Scaling - up Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices by small holder farmers: working with agricultural extension to identify, assess and disseminate SLM practices
REPORT ON FARMER TO FARMER LEARNING VISITS TO
DEMONSTRATION SITES IN NORTHERN UGANDA
Intercropping; Mulching Gulu District
By
Funded by
September 2019
1
Table of Contents
Introduction, Welcome remarks and brief highlights ……………………………………………………………………….2
Lessons learnt by the group members (Melon) ...................................................................................... 8
Lessons learnt by the visiting group ..................................................................................................... 10
Emerging issues and Observations ....................................................................................................... 10
List of Tables
Table 1: list of acronyms ......................................................................................................... 1
Table 2: Participants by group and gender in Gulu District Visit ...................................... 3
Acronyms Table 1: list of acronyms
ACODEN Action for Development Network
LGs District Local Governments
KTB Kenya Tool Bar
OWC Operation Wealth Creation
NARO National Research Organization
PRELNOR Project for Restoration of Livelihoods in Northern Region
ULN Uganda Landcare Network
2
Introduction
Uganda Landcare Network (ULN) with partners organised farmer to farmer learning visits
during the 4th quarter of 2019 with the aim of enhancing farmer to farmer learning, acquiring
knowledge and skills for scaling up SLM practices on farm.
The visits targeted participating districts in the project including Nwoya, Agago, Gulu,
Kitgum, Omoro and Pader in Acholi region and Adjumani District in West Nile region. The
following categories of stakeholders participated Farmers, Policy makers, Researchers,
Extension Workers and Private Sector.
Table 1: Demonstrations in Gulu District
No Technology Host farmer District Extension worker
responsible /Institution
1 Intercrop (Maize and Soya) Mrs Angee Doreen Gulu Janet Otto
(PLELNOR)
2 Mulching + Melon +
Agroforestry
Mr. and Mrs Bono
Hellen
Gulu Janet Otto
(PLELNOR)
3 Compost manure + Mulching
tomatoes + Agroforestry
Mr and Mrs Tabu
Geoffrey
Gulu Janet Otto
(PLELNOR)
Kanya farmers group waiting for their fellow group and non-group members
3
Visiting farmer group boarding taxis for a visit in Gulu (Photo Issa Aliga)
Visit 1: Tii Ki Adaa farmers group (Soya beans) in Asanyi village, Pagik Parish, Paicho Sub-
County
The visit was opened by a prayer led by Achora Margaret. The group chairperson then
highlighted on how the group was initiated in 2013 by ACODEN with a focus on Saving and
Loans as a key component to support their farming activities.
In 2018, a team of from Kampala headed by Agricultural officers at the District level and
PRELNOR trainers supported our group with a training in Amuru District where 3 of our
members attended and selected crops to demonstrate in our group and we selected beans
which we are growing now in this gardens
Table 2: Participants by group and gender in Gulu District Visit
No Details Technology No
participants
Gender Group
members
Non group
members
Males Females
1 Group that visited
other group
Beans and Maize 31 8 23 18 13
2 Groups that were
visited
Soya beans +
Maize
11
6 5 8 3
Total 42 14 28 26 16
4
Farmers visit a garden of soya bean and maize. Photo by Isa Alga
Listening to a farmer explain details of the demo
5
Farmers inspecting a garden of soya bean and maize. Photo by Issa Aliga
Uganda Landcare Network supplied 30 kgs of seed to the farmer and paid for labour for
clearing land, planting and weeding. This demonstration is doing well compared to others and
Some people come to ask us whether we used fertilizer.
Planting in rows is good because it eases weeding. It’s good to work in groups because many
organisations like supporting groups and there is a lot of learning and sharing knowledge.
Questions
When did you prepare the garden and plant? February (1st and 2nd ploughing) but was
affected by the doves. This is second planting. The second season started in August. So more
farmers are planting
Does the group have an ox-plough? How did you manage to cultivate all this garden? Group
has no ox –plough but rely on group labour.
Do you still do VSLA? Yes, our group is growing and have more than 5 million being lent
out to members on a 3 % interest per month to members and for non-group members we
negotiate the interest depending on who has come and for what purpose.
How much seed did you plant and how much do you expect during harvest? We planted 30
Kg and harvested 250 Kg
Any problems? Doves at first, drought not too much and also roaming animals which graze
on our crops.
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Visit ended with a vote of thanks given by one of the visiting group member (Atto Lilly) who
appreciated the work that the group was doing and mentioned that they have learnt a lot.
The secretary for Kanya farmers group in Amuru shared their group activities and how they
have been supported by similar organisation in (Agroforestry +Beans (Phaselous Vulgaris). He
appreciated how the soya and Maize was doing well despite the heavy sunshine which has affected
their beans although not harvested.
“For our group we planted trees and beans and the trees (Grevillea, Calliandra and Sasanian) are
doing well compared to the beans” This was affected by drought. We plan to try again in the next
season and see how trees do with crops during a drought season and in case there is no drought. We
will plan well the planting season. Mentioned by Taboo Richard.
Visit 2: Mrs Abwoono Hellen (Mulched Water melon)- Ogen Lutela wu
group The second visit started with a prayer led by the Chairperson of the group (Mrs Abwono
Hellen) followed by self-introductions and brief highlights on the group activities including
planting Watermelon and mulching supported by extension workers. Hellen mentioned that
the group chose Watermelon and mulching because mulching saves time for weeding, keep
water for some time especially during the dry season, water melon is a fruit which the family
can feed on and bring income when sold. She also mentioned that when leaves litter, they rot
and add fertility to the soil. This is the first time the group is growing water melon and they
are happy with the way the melon is looking in the garden.
Farmers visited one of the mulched water melon garden supported by ULN. Photo by Isa
Aliga
7
Farmers sharing one of the ripe water melon from a mulched garden. PRELNOR
Extension worker cuts a melon with Helen Obwoono as the visiting team and group
members look on. Photo by Issa Aliga
The group received SUCARI FI seed from ULN in time and planted in time but spraying
was not done early. This affected the first flowering. What is seen now is second flowering
Why did you do Mulching? Mulching was done to reduce the weed and increase yield
because it keeps the water during the dry season.
Do you see any difference with this demonstration plot? Yes, the demonstration has acted as
a training centre for our group and non-group members and some other farmers from the
District came to learn about this water melon. The only problem is that it was not sprayed in
time.
Why do you have two different portions of planted water melon? We planted two portions
(One mulched and the other one not mulched) to compare the yield? How do you observe the
yield? Mulched portion looks better and the yield is more compared to the one that is not
mulched.
How did you come to know about growing melon? We were trained by PRELNOR
extension worker (who is here with us) and other staff from other organisations like NARO
and Local government workers
How old is this garden? 3 months’ now
8
How do I know that the melon is ready or mature for harvesting? You lightly palm knock the
fruit and if it sounds hollow, when you can tell it’s ready. But also within 3 months it should
be ready for harvesting.)
One of the farmers showing a good mulched water meron. Photo by Issa Aliga
Why did you not weed the garden? Weeding affects the stalks and once the stalks are broken
Melon can’t survive that’s why we left them unweeded.
How much do you expect to harvest and sell? The price depends on the size, quality, locality
and the demand and need for the money but it can be between 4000-5000/=
How much do you expect to get from this garden? 500 head from the mulched garden and
100 from the un mulched garden
So 600 x4000= 2,400,000 as expected income for the group
What is the spacing of water melon? 2m x 2 m?
Is the group happy with this demo? The group is happy and intend to plant more next season
(next year). How about non-group members?
Many will be planting next season
Lessons learnt by the group members (Melon)
When planting melon, one has to first mulch
One can also Plant, weed after 2 -3 weeks and then mulch
Spraying early is necessary (at least twice a week)
9
There is a lot of learning when farmers are in groups (planting, spacing and spraying)
Mulched melon does well compare to un mulched melon. However, the high costs of
mulch material (purchase and transport) is a problem
A garden of unmatched water melon. Photo by Issa Aliga.
10
Lessons learnt by the visiting group
To succeed in growing water melon and soya beans, the group must have in place, land
and labour which must be provided by group members
Melon does not need to be put in nursery bed first before planting. One can just plant the
seed without putting in a nursery and it grows well
Melon does not require only big land. Those with less than an acre of land can also grow
melon
Mulched melon gives higher yield than unmulched melon
Closure of the visit: Mr Okello Chairman LC 1 for Kanya Village who thanked the teams
visited and the visitors for showing a good sign of learning and sharing knowledge. He
thanked organisations supporting the farmers.
“This is what the government wants. Reaching the grassroots people and empower them to
do things with the purpose of learning. I will talk about this when we are called in council
meetings by the Local Council 3 at the sub-county next month and this is adding weight to
our work as leaders. He officially closed the visit and farmers travelled back”
Emerging issues and Observations
Although one group (Amuru) was made to visit two other groups outside their District
(Gulu), there was a lot of learning and experience sharing.
Involvement of non-members demonstrated opportunities for scaling up among non-
group members (Melon)
“Next season I will grow water melon in my garden” How can I get seed? mentioned
by Angee Irene- Non host group member
Seed can be bought in Gulu town. Walter will give you the number of the shop that
sells water melon seeds.
High yield (Melon) with over 400 fruits,
Market available @ 400-5000/=each
Mulched melon yields better than un mulched melon. High cost of mulching material but very
good at weed control and soil fertility improvement
Visiting group to have at least two members in the group start on the technology. Support
from ULN, LG NARO and PRELNOR
Learning across the two groups on how to Mulching and the benefits of mulching.