Conservation Agriculture Programme Phase II - CAPII

Transcription

1 Conservation Farming Unit No Farmers no Future Conservation Agriculture Programme Phase II - CAPII Delivery of Training & Technical Advisory Services to Farmers and Commercialisation of Input Supply Networks Going the extra yard

2 CAP Areas : 4 Administrative Regions 17 Districts out of 73 Most of Agro-ecological Region IIa & part of IIb Mainly Zambia s Maize & Cotton belts 516,000 farm households (+-) Western Region Southern Region Central Region Eastern Region Mongu, Mkuski and Lundazi Sub-Regions

3 CAP Regional Management Structure - 1 Region CFU HQ - Regional Support Services Regional Manager Other promoters: Cotton Companies, GRZ-MAL, Projects, ZNFU DFA s, NGO s etc. Managers Assistant Field Supervisors x 2 to 3 Field Officers 13 to14 Other promoters at field level Lead Farmer Extension and Training Services to CAP Beneficiaries

4 Criteria for Identification of FC s The Lead Farmers Lead farmers candidates are identified by CFU field staff in each Region from the pool of many thousands of adopters Criteria: Skillful CF adopters who have at least 4 season of experience. Adoption of CF on at least 70% of their cropped land. Technically sound on all aspects of CF and associated technologies. Quality management of farming operations with superior results and evident progress. Application of CF tillage practices whether Hoe, ADP or combinations of both that reflect the majority conventional tillage practice in their areas of operation. Sound communication, leadership and training skills. Literate, respected by local farming community and capable of absorbing knowledge.

5 Lead Farmer Extension and Training System by CAP II Region Attendance Open & Voluntary With HQ support also provide mobile training service to staff and farmers of other organizations in Zambia and ESA Region Field Supervisors (FS) (Employee) 2 to 3 per Region. 14 in total 1 x Field Officers (FO) (Employee) 12 to 13 per Region. 72 in total Paid with E- voucher & provided with bicycle Farmer Coordinators (FC) (Farmer) 360 to 390 per Region 1,890 in total Training is voluntary and more experienced CF adopters may choose only the sessions they deem important Training 3 separate groups of 25 to 30 farmers each - offered option of attending 4 sequential training sessions on different topics Total farmers trained annually per Region up to 39,000. Programme total up to 170,000 A training Period during which an FC undertakes 1 session on a range of similar topics for 3 separate groups of farmers is completed in 1 month. Thus the main training programme is sequenced over 4 months commencing in July and finishing in October each season

6 Attendance: Preparatory Activities Main Training Programme In May each season a preparatory review is held HQ staff, Regional Managers and Field Supervisors Objectives: Strengths and weaknesses of previous seasons training programme. Replacement of any underperforming FC s. Technical competence of FO s based on results of annual knowledge test and assessments by RM s. Needs for refresher training and mentoring particularly inexperienced FO s. Key objectives of current training programme, necessary adjustments to training approaches and technical content. Agree content of training programme by training Periods Approach for introduction of impending training programme to FO s and FC s

7 Example of FC Training Cycle & Summary of Content: - ADP & Hoe Farmers Period and summary of Session content 1. July Hoe & ADP Land Prep. The concept, practice and benefits of Min-Till compared with conventional methods. 2. August Hoe & ADP application of basal nutrients. The concept of permanent Rip Lines and Basins to build up fertility in planting zones 3. September Hoe & ADP seeding, Faidherbia nurseries Typical Content of Practical on Site Training (Refer to Technical Leaflets and use content/page relevant to session) ADP and Basin Min-Till land preparation methods in detail. No burning of residues & reasons. Correct set up of Ripper. Benefits of Min-Till - ADP and Basin systems compared with ploughing particularly for oxen hirers and compared with conventional ridge splitting and overall digging by hoe farmers;- i.e. timeliness, 5 month land preparation window, critical benefit of early planting, rain water harvesting etc. Contract ripping as a business opportunity for ox owners. Start and finish early, work steadily don t wait for the rains and become overwhelmed. Basal fertilisation, concentration of applied nutrients whether Manure, Lime or Fertilizer in Rip Lines and Basins reduces wastage. The concept of permanent rip Lines and Basins to improve fertility where the crops grow not the weeds. Benefits of Lime to reduce acidity. Use of Jars and Fertiliser cups for correct application in Rip Lines and Basins. Application of inputs only after 2 nd ripping if this is planned. Importance of legume rotations to fix N and diversify. Matching cropped area to labour availability. Plan ahead. Sell proportion of crop to commercial buyers to secure and purchase inputs on time. Don t rely entirely on Gov t fertiliser, delays may occur. Need for second ripping after early showers? Correct seeding and covering methods for all crops in Basins and Rip Lines. Establishing Velvet Bean or indeterminate Cowpea fallows + Glyphosate to reoccupy idle or abandoned land, fix N and suppress weeds. Establishing Faidherbia nurseries. 4. October Seeding refresher, herbicides, Cassava planting termite control, and planting out Faidherbia Refresher seeding of all crops. Weed control using herbicides spell out benefits and the need to know exactly what to do. Correct sprayers, nozzles, measurements, use of different herbicides, purchase of reliable products and safety measures. Check existing sprayers are in good order Critical importance of early planting immediately after 1 st good planting rains. Cassava plot establishment for FS standby. Method for planting Cassava cuttings & controlling termites. Planting out Faidherbia seedlings;- spacing, holing out, fertiliser application and siting to minimise crop competition. In December FC s and staff demonstrate Cotton thinning and gapping and Maize top dressing methods through visits

8 TRAINING SESSION REMINDERS FOR FO S AND FC S ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE 1. THE FARM WALK DISCUSSION ENCOURAGE AS MANY OBSERVATIONS AS POSSIBLE. IDENTIFY NUMBER OF ADOPTERS AND NON ADOPTERS. DISCUSS EXPERIENCES OF PREVIOUS SEASON. WHO HAD GOOD CROPS AND WHO HAD POOR CROPS? 2. THE TRAINING SESSION DISCUSSION ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION, INVOLVE EVERYBODY INCLUDING WOMEN CREATE INTEREST, CHALLENGE FARMERS TO ARRIVE AT SOLUTIONS DON T LECTURE! Once main content agreed, training approach reminders prepared for FC s INTRODUCTION FC EXPLAINS WHY HE/SHE GETS VOUCHERS I.E. FOR DELIVERING TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE. HIGHLIGHT TRAINING TOPICS FOR SESSION POOR CROPS OF NON ADOPTERS AND SOME ADOPTERS ENCOURAGE NON ADOPTERS OR ADOPTERS WHO HAD POOR CROPS TO EXPLAIN WHY THEIR CROPS WERE POOR? WEED OUT FEEBLE EXCUSES FOR FAILURE BY ENCOURAGING GENERAL ADOPTER AND NON ADOPTER DISCUSSION. TECHNICAL BENEFITS OF CF WHY ITS BETTER ENCOURAGE DETAILED EXPLANATIONS OF WHY MOST CF FARMERS HAD BETTER CROPS THAN MOST CONVENTIONAL FARMERS - EARLY PLANTING, BETTER USE OF FERTILISER AND SEEDS, GOOD EMERGENCE, RAINWATER HARVESTING, LESS WEEDS, HIGHER YIELDS ETC? SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF CF ENCOURAGE ADOPTERS TO GIVE EXAMPLES OF IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES - FOOD SECURITY, MORE MONEY TO SPEND, INVESTMENTS IN KIDS SCHOOLING, CATTLE, BICYCLES, RADIO S, HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS REDUCED LABOUR REQUIREMENTS ETC. SELF RELIANCE DISCUSS HOW CF ENABLES FARMERS SOLVE PROBLEMS THEMSELVES, MINIMISE RISKS, HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER FINAL RESULTS, BE MORE SELF RELIANT, FARM AS A BUSINESS NOT JUST FOR SURVIVAL. 3. DEMONSTRATING THE TECHNOLOGY ENCOURAGE ADOPTERS PRESENT TO DEMONSTRATE THE TECHNOLOGIES EARMARKED FOR THE TRAINING SESSION LET OTHED ADOPTORS MAKE CORRECTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS. ENCOURAGE NON-ADOPTERS TO DEMONSTRATE. 4. FIX DATES AND VENUES FOR NEXT TRAINING ASK FARMERS IF TRAINING WAS WORTHWHILE? ENCOURAGE THEM TO ALERT MORE FARMERS FOR NEXT SESSION IN NEXT PERIOD. HIGHLIGHT MAIN TOPICS ANNOUNCE DATE AND TRAINING VENUE. CHANGE VENUES. MAKE USE OF EXPERIENCED ADOPTERS FIELDS.

9 Delivery of Training Services Prior to launch of each training Period, each FO undertakes a refresher course for his/her 30 FC s in small groups Approach: Review content of Training Packs. Understand role of prompts to guide discussion no lecturing. Act out a live training session and stress facilitatory role of the FC. Stress need to start with farm walk to set the scene, sharpen observations and enable farmers to exchange experiences of previous season successes and failures. Ensure practical and interactive training approach, challenge adopters to demonstrate technologies to non-adopters. Encourage identification of problems and solutions by farmers themselves. Encourage farmers to correct any observed technical errors by demonstrator Challenge farmers to explain why CF practices deliver superior results.

10 The FC Training Pack Each year of 1,890 FC s receive a Training Pack. Depending on the Period and content, the FC will use his/her own hardware including Chaka hoes, Magoye Ripper, oxen, knapsack sprayer, ZT-ADP planter etc.

11 Quality Assurance - FC Training Calendar FO s arrange FC trainers into 3 Groups of 10 each - A, B and C During a Training Period of 1 month, training sessions are staggered to enable quality assurance FC s in Group A complete 3 sessions in the first 10 days, Group B in second 10 days and Group C, third 10 days. Within each of the 10 days, Field Officers s monitor 1 Training Session of 5 FC s i.e. 50% of his/her FC s during a Period. Field Supervisors also attend Sessions at random Weaker or less experienced FC s are focused on Observations of strengths and weaknesses are discussed prior to launch of each of remaining 3 Training Periods and FC s mentor weaker FC s. During Period 2 in August, remaining 15 FC s training sessions are monitored

12 CAP Farmer Coordinator - Training Attendance Report (1 of 3 in each Period) CFU Region District Name of Farmer Coordinator Completing Report: Name of Supervisior (Field Officer): TRAININGS HELD FOR FARMERS 1. Date of Training: Day Month Year 2. Training Period & Content: Tick One Box Only. Period 1 (July) Period 3 (September) Period 2 (August) Period 4 (October) 3. Names of Farmers Attending Name M or F Name M or F Reporting FC Farmer Training Attendance reports by name and gender consolidated at FO Regional and HQ levels 4. Total Attendance of Farmers Male Female Total 5. Agric Suppliers Agents Attending Name of Agent Name of Retailer/Company FO consolidates each of 3 FC Training Period reports for each of 30 FC's into 3 report summarising attendance by gender. RM consolidates Regional attendance report for HQ

13 Remuneration of Lead Farmers and involvement of Private sector Agro-dealerships To convert to CF farmers need local access to specific inputs and equipment CFU pioneered E-voucher platform with MTZ Ltd as payment method for Farmer Coordinator s provision of training services and to stimulate involvement of Agro-dealer networks to support CF CFU works closely with 5 Apex Agro-dealers and a network of 110 rural stockists. 4 Vouchers worth a total value of $320 are discounted by each FC at cooperating Agro-dealers between September and December. Vouchers withheld if evidence arised of poor performance by FC s. Key Features of E-voucher platform: Web based system log onto on PC or via web portal cell phone All information goes into a web database basis for reports Reports are key for information regarding redemption and re-stocking by dealers Real time transactions immediate credit to Agro-dealer accounts Cash based Advantages compared with a Manual Voucher System: More secure Improved cash flow for Agro-dealers Instant redemption Lower management costs Instant reports Electronic-voucher

14 Track 2 Training For larger and more advanced farmers Commencing in September each season Field Supervisors and more experienced Field Officers identify and train individuals or small groups of larger farmers Topics at request of farmers: Training on more advanced herbicides, abandoning mechanical ADP tillage? ADP tillage service provision as a business? Benefits, use and maintenance of ADP ZT planters? Reclamation of abandoned fields? Awareness of commodity price trends what to grow? Basic farm planning - how much of what to grow? Calculating input requirements and saving income from sales to secure inputs in good time? Awareness of availability and benefits of local mechanised tillage service provision?

15 Annual Field Days 2,500 to 3,000 held each year in Feb/March on CF adopters fields Major ones attended by traditional and administrative leadership, Agro-dealers, NGO s, MOA staff and farmers. Observe and discuss performance of range of CF technologies compared with conventional practice. Farmers exchange experiences Delivery of key messages by CFU 2011/12: 2,900 field days attended by over 140,000 farmers, 41% women Spontaneous mini field days are also organised in Dec-Jan to highlight particular topics of interest that arise during growing season