Annex 5. Ongoing activities and potential collaborative actions

Activity, aim and opportunity for collaboration; reference and contact

Agro-ecological zone; farming system

Problem to be addressed; actors

Available tools; applicability

Expected products and tools; timing

Results: capacity building, mainstreaming

CUBA

INCA-Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas
Eolia Treto Hernandez
[email protected]

1. Biofertilization: inoculation with mycorrhizae (AMF)
Economic AMF inoculum production.
Publication of results and validation of inoculum methodology (with farmers) in Cuba, Bolivia and Colombia
Ramon Rivera, [email protected]

Possible collaboration:
- with Rusvelt Rios (Project Promusta, CARE, Ecuador).
- with Dr. Rattan Lal, who is interested in publishing results in Agricultural Encyclopædia Ohio Agriculture.

Caribbean region, C. & S. America, and Africa.
Low- and high-input agricultural systems:
coffee nurseries;
grain, roots, tuber crops (crop rotations and residual effects);
intensive, diverse vegetable crop production.

Lack of fertilization, degraded soils,
Excess mineral fertilization, economic problems, poor information on use of mycorrhizal inoculum.
Researchers, government, farmers, extensionists, NGOs.

Increase yields, improve soil fertility, save inputs.
INCA: education, awareness.
INIFAT: case studies, publications.
Instituto de investigacion y produccion de pasturas y forrajes en Cuba: 5 years practical experience.
Methodology validated.
Manual information for farmers.

Training farmers and technicians in use of inoculants.
Collaborate to mainstream agro-ecological approach in soil biological management

Urban agriculture
Application of agro-ecological principles.
Publication of 10 years’ work (1994-2002) by Adolfo Rodriguez Nodels, Instituto de Investigaciones Fundamentales en Agricultura Tropical “Alejandro de Humboldt” (INIFAT).
Ecuador
[email protected]

Tropical regions.
Vegetable production with agro-ecological management.

Loss of biodiversity, low production.
Researchers, government, farmers, extensionists, NGOs.

2. Enhanced peri-urban production; enhanced biodiversity.

Training farmers and researchers.

Integrated animal-crop production with agro-ecological management methods.
Fernando Funes Monzole & Marta Monzole
Fernandez [email protected]

Mixed crop-animal farms (1-5 ha).

Loss of biodiversity, low production.
Researchers, government, farmers, extensionists, NGOs.

Training farmers and researchers.

ECUADOR

CAMAREN Network (Sistema de Capacitación para el Manejo de Recursos Naturales Renovables)
Rusvelt Rios
[email protected]
Introduce into CAMAREN training modules on soil life issues.
Coordinated action for sustainable agro-ecological development (through CAMAREN, Red Agro-ecologica, Universities, research, farm families).

Collaboration:
- with Cuba on inoculum production and peri-urban (organic) agriculture (proposal in formulation for technical information and Rhizobium use to be implemented with Ecuador municipalities);
- with INIAP for farmers experiments.

Andean region.
Small-scale farming.

CAMAREN network has overlooked soil biology. Lack of farmer training material.
Peri-urban areas demand for food security.
Project proposal: organic horticulture.

CAMAREN has material and experience on adult education, participatory and gender approaches, and training material based on farmer experience.
Manuals, CD-ROMs, field training material on natural resource management.

Raised awareness on soil biology and ecology. Incorporation of soil biology in curriculum of CAMAREN.
Peri-urban agriculture project with families and schools.
CAMAREN to train NGO technicians, farmers, leaders of agro-ecological institutions, etc.

Workshop to explain soil biology and exchange information.
Meeting within CAMAREN (several institutions).

INIAP- National Institute of Agricultural Research Gustavo Bernal
[email protected]
Use of legumes and actinorhizal plants by farmers.
Production of inoculants (Rhizobium and possibly Frankia (actinomycete)).

Ecuadorian highlands (subsistence farming system).

Soil erosion.

Protocols available for research. Methods in extension and transfer of technologies.
Participatory research for farmers.
Publications on soil microbiology

Inoculant information (products) for farmers.

Adoption of FFS approach.

INIAP
Gustavo Bernal
[email protected]
To gain information on soil biota within an agro-ecological approach.
Teaching activities on soil microbiology with emphasis in BNF.
Gaining information on relevant research activities.
Collaboration with CAMAREN, other NGOs.

Inter-Andean region in Ecuador.

Lack of information on soil biota.
Lack of information in research of INIAP.

Background and knowledge of scientists on soil microbiology.
Tools and methods for participatory approach.

Information for small farmers in highlands and students.
Provide research information through courses and brochures.

To adapt microbiological processes in order to improve soil conditions. Improved research activities leading to improved soil conditions.

BRAZIL

EMBRAPA Pecuaria Sudeste
Odo Primavesi
[email protected]
Indicators: biological, physical and chemical.

Intensive cattle production systems in tropical grasslands.

Impacts on soil, water and air.
Researchers looking for micro-indicators (NO₃, PO₄ & CH₄).
Farmers not aware.

Preliminary new publications.

Ongoing work.

EMBRAPA Pecuaria Sudeste
Odo Primavesi
[email protected]
General pictorial analysis of problems: hydrological regime, pollution, agricultural expansion, settlement, deforestation, etc. (environmental purposes).

Tropical and watershed level.

General to watershed- or landscape-scale problems. Researchers and farmers, based on case studies.

Journals.

Pictoral analysis of environmental problems available for research, extension and farmers. All groups of rural and urban society.

Young, improving educational network.

Universidade Estadual de Londrina.
Fatima Guimaraes
[email protected]
Education and research in soil management
(efforts underway to develop a focus on interaction between morphological, physical, chemical, biological, social and economic aspects).

North of Paraná, Cerrados and Amazonian regions.
In pastures, NT and conventional farming systems (cereals and sugar cane).

Land degradation, soil conservation, soil management, identified by farmers and extensionists, (and students) through a “crop profile” (French descriptive method for structures of cultivated soils).
University work with actors to find best solution for the system (pedologic, agrarian, social and cultural).

Maximum data collected and analysed. Solutions for problems found through discussion around a crop profile.
Data on economics, history of farm, farming communities, agrarian system.
Results of analysis mainly on macrofauna.

Systemic vision: crop profile is a tool for gathering information (also physical, chemical, biological & economic analysis).
Papers on pastoral systems and no-tillage systems. CD-ROM on management of savannahs (French and Portuguese).
Need funds for publications and translation in Spanish & English.

For students: to build open minds more capable of considering various aspects (physical, chemical, biological, social, cultural and economic).
For farmers: to find a sustainable agro-ecological and economic solution.

EMBRAPA Soybean
George Brown
[email protected]
Monitoring of soil fauna populations as indicators of soil quality. Adaptation of management systems to enhance soil organic matter, soil cover, and reduce pesticide use.
Soil C stocks and potential for sequestration under conservation agriculture practices.

North of Paraná
A range of agro-ecosystems.
NT and minimum till agro-ecosystems in Brazil.

Loss of diversity of soil fauna and their contribution to ecosystem function.
Loss of C stocks in soil and soil fertility and productivity decline.
Researchers & farmers.

Methodology available and applicable is established for soil macrofauna (TSBF-ASB and IBOY).

Reduced use of external inputs and enhancement of soil functions. Database with indicative values and ranges of the biological indicators produced. Work to be performed during several seasons/years. Data available on the potential of different management systems to contribute to C sequestration.

Monitoring of soil quality can be done by trained farmers.
Students and researchers.
A field manual for farmers and extensionists must still be produced to facilitate its dissemination.

EMBRAPA
Julio Centeno
Systems analysis.
Agro-ecology.
Platform building
Set up of indicators: concepts, framework and strategy.

South of Brazil.
Integrated rice and cattle production system.

Need of indicators of sustainability identified by farmers.

Ongoing research by farmers and researchers.

Maximum of 10 indicators for economic, environmental, agronomic aspects.
For soil, identify indicators of physical, biological chemical aspects. (5 years: 2007).

Farmers able to collect, analyse and take action based on indicators.
Farmers could send queries to research based on problems identified by indicators.

EMBRAPA Cerrados
Ieda de Carvalho Mendes
[email protected]
Impacts of different management systems on soil microbial biomass, activity (soil enzymes, microbial respiration and diversity).
Enhancement of BNF in agricultural ecosystems.

Brazilian savannahs (Cerrados region).

Loss of soil quality.
Increasing problems related to soil degradation.

Use of microbiological and biochemical parameters as early indicators of changes in soil as result of different types of management systems.

Simple and useful (meaningful) biological indicators that could be used by farmers. Methodologies are described, especially in the SSSA book on soil quality.

To identify management systems able to keep the soil biologically active and productive, avoiding or reducing the need to convert new areas (native areas) into agricultural lands.

Assessoria e Serviços a Projetos em Agricultura Alternativa (ASPAA)
Gabriel Bianconi Fernandes
[email protected]
Family farmers organization for the promotion of sustainable farming systems based on agro-ecology, supported by ANGO.

Centre-south Paraná State, Brazil.
Family farming systems based on animals, polyculture and extractivism.

Rebuild soil productive capacity.
Problem identified on a participatory rural appraisal by farmers and NGO technicians.
NT, no fire, and no herbicide.

Review on green manure species available for S. Brazil. Publication: Petersen, P., Tardin, J.M. and Martochi, F. 1999. Participatory development of no-tillage systems without herbicides for family farming: experience of C.S. Region of Paraná. Envt. Devt. and Sustainability 1: 235-252.

Farmer-led experimental areas.
Field days: exchanges between farmers and their communities.
Green manure.
Seed production.
Techniques are site specific, principles can be generalized. Participatory methodologies.

Develop tillage systems based on cover crops, direct sowing and no herbicide.
Farmers enabled to multiply the practice and its principles.
Enhanced dialogue among farmers’ organizations, NGOs, extensionists and researchers.

EMBRAPA
Avilio Franco
[email protected]
Land reclamation and sustainability of cropping systems.

Hilly agroforestry area.

C and N addition to the system. Soil protection, increase in quantity and quality of water. Problems of society in general. Principle known but need to identify legume species, rhizobial strains and management for specific ecological and cropping systems.

Use of nodulated and mycorrhizal legume trees as a factor in land reclamation and sustainable agriculture. By farmers, extensionists and scientists. May be applied to any farm. Publications: Franco et al., 1992, 1998, etc.

Integrated soil management. Genetic conservation. Sustainability.

Build up awareness in society in general.

EMBRAPA
Jefferson Luis da Silva Costa
[email protected]
Assessment and monitoring and reclamation of degraded areas for farming and reforestation use.

Drylands and hydrographic basins.

Reclaim degraded areas and find a way to monitor their efficiency.

Use of suitable bioindicators to guide solutions or monitor efficiency.
Research results indicate efficiency of fluorescent diacetate hydrolysis method as an easy tool to monitor microbial activity.

Reclaimed areas monitored by appropriate bioindicators.

Share bioindicators efficiency with other communities, scientists, extensionists, etc.

EMBRAPA
Jefferson Luis da Silva Costa
[email protected]
Inducing soil suppressiveness to control soil-borne plant diseases.

Organic no-till and till systems
Plant and soil management techniques can be applied to any farming system.

Farmers who have their lands condemned by high incidence of soil-borne plant disease.
Plant pathogen techniques and research results applied and validated on farms.

Quantification of soil pathogen inoculum.
Reducing soil inoculum density by using correct agricultural practices.
Tools available to farmers, extension and research.

Control of soil-borne diseases by using soil management, cover crops and suitable rotations.

Trained agronomists in extension services.
Web site under construction.

TSBF-GEF Project 2002-07
Regina Luizao
[email protected]
Groups of below-ground biodiversity specialists in seven countries.

Amazonia: different land use types by indigenous people.

Decreased below-ground biodiversity with land use intensification.

TSBF handbook of methods, TSBF Web site, integrated multidisciplinary action.
Results to be applied in two demonstration sites in order to convince farmers and decision-makers.

Standardized methodologies.
Conservation and sustainable land use practices and management for farmers, extensionists, researchers and decision-makers.

Strengthened collaboration within and among seven countries.

EMBRAPA-Soybean
Mariangela Hungria
[email protected]
Production, quality control and use of inoculants for N-fixing crops such as soybean and beans.

19 million ha in Brazil.

Inoculants with rhizobial strains adapted to Brazilian conditions have to be maintained and improved continuously.
Farmers and researchers.

Methodology is established for inoculant production, quality control and strain collection.
Diffusion methods are available for farmers and extensionists.

Several publications available.

No need for N-fertilizer application.
Environmentally friendly solution to sustain and enhance productivity.

EMBRAPA-Soybean
Mariangela Hungria
[email protected]
Group working with soil bioindicators in Brazil for different ecosystems.

Five different Brazilian ecosystems.

Farmers started asking for biological parameters to evaluate soil quality.
Methods need to be validated in other areas by farmers, extensionists and researchers.

Evaluation of microbiological parameters.
Methodology has been validated for all parameters with data for two Brazilian ecosystems (Londrina and Cerrados)

Biological parameter kits for farmers.

EMBRAPA-Soybean can include other groups and countries in the study.
Web site soon.

URUGUAY

Instituto Nacional de Investigacion Agricola (INIA), La Estanzuela, Colonia Maria Stella Zerbino
[email protected]
Researchers, entomologists on soil macrofauna and soil pests.

No-tillage system in Uruguay and S. America.

Soil health and quality indicators, comparing tillage with no-tillage for sustainability; bioindicators and relationships among beneficial soil organisms; monitoring abundance and composition of soil macrofauna in different no-tillage farming systems.
Researchers.

Macrofauna composition and abundance explain soil quality and health.
TSBF method is practical for researchers, but may need some modification for farmers.
(www.inia.org.uy/iniaendirecta/)
Zerbino, M.S. Macrofauna del suelo en siembra en directa.

A bioindicator that is useful and practical for farmers.

Trained extensionists and farmers.

FRANCE

IBOY- IRD, Institut de Recherche et Developpement
Patrick Lavelle and Nuria Ruiz Camacho
[email protected] , [email protected]
Integrative study of the principal factors of parameters identifying soil capacity to function;
Ph.D. thesis on soil macro-invertebrates, soil quality.

Brazil.
No-tillage system vs. conventional tillage
Intensification of land use,.
Organic waste: composition and application. Manure uses.

Sustainability of agricultural systems regarding soil quality.

A synthetic index of soil quality based on abundance and diversity of macro-invertebrate communities.
TSBF method for assessment of soil macrofauna in natural systems.

Protocol or manual for the application of the soil macrofauna index and interpretation.
IBOY network (in development).

Training for technicians and farmers.
Two manuals, one for researchers (actually applied) and a simplified version for farmers.

THE NETHERLANDS

Wageningen University
Lijbert Brussaard and Thom Kuyper
[email protected] , [email protected]
1. Convergence of sciences for better integrated crop and soil management (collaboration with TSBF).
2. Efficient N use and enhanced manure and soil quality in dairy farming (collaboration with ETC, The Netherlands).

1. Benin and Ghana Cash crops: cotton, cacao Food crops: cowpea Orphan crops: sorghum.
2.The Netherlands Pasture lands.

1. Soil fertility depletion. Scientists through participatory approach.
2. Enhancement of soil biological processes following drastic reduction of external inputs. Farmers - identified and science-supported

1. Not yet identified. Different solutions are expected given the different socio-economic and cultural conditions. Anthropology and sociology studies for participatory problem identification.
2. Feeding cattle with more fibre and less protein. Application of additives to manure or field. Applying slurry aboveground instead of injection.

1. Not yet identified. Different products and tools are expected through participatory approach, given the different socio-economic and socio-cultural conditions. Method developed by Paul Richards, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
5 years (2001-05)
2. Web site, reports, magazines, courses. Excursions on-farm. Extension materials. Scientific articles available.

1. Institutions strengthened. Government agencies, market stakeholders & NGOs.
2. Empowered farmers. Changed attitudes with suppliers, dairy factories, local/regional/national government agencies and scientists. Special Issue of Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science (Wiskerke, Verhoeven and Brussaard Eds.), 2002.

AUSTRALIA

CSIRO - Land and Water Davies Laboratory, Queensland
Clive Pankhurst
[email protected]
Sugar yield decline. Joint Venture: crop rotations and minimum tillage research, supported by Australian Sugar Research and Development

Subtropical.
Sugar cane

Yield decline due to continuous monocropping, tillage, burning of residues, compaction, & poor root health.
Sugar industry with researchers, farmers, extensionists.

New farming options for cane growers within next systems.
Soil health indicators, soil biodiversity (molecular approach).

Raising awareness about soil health; also useful to other similar situations of highly mechanized agriculture.

Research papers ([email protected])

ISRAEL

Bar-Ilan University Biology Dept,
Yosef Steinberger
[email protected]
Understanding the roles and functions of terrestrial ecosystem.

Arid and semiarid ecosystems in the Mediterranean.
Natural and human-made systems
(grazing and desert systems).

Overgrazed desertified systems, nutrient cycling.

Methodology adapted to desert ecosystems.
Assessment of soil properties:
C/N, organic matter decomposition, soil biota, functional groups, population dynamics, diversity, abiotic variables.

INDIA

School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Bikram K. Senapati
[email protected] and IRD, France, Patrick Lavelle [email protected]
Microfauna biodiversity and soil management: project on microfauna level with the EC, private industries including Parry Agro Ind.

Tropical and temperate.
Applicable for plantation crops, agroforestry, landscape management.

Soil conservation.
Synergy between organic residues and biodiversity below- and above-ground.
Agro-industries, large farmers, cooperative farmers.

A biofertilizer patent was deposited (PCT/FR97/01363) on behalf of all three parties. Being transferred to nine areas in China.
Senapati and Lavelle, co-inventors.

This project has been evaluated in benefit-cost analysis at international verification by multidisciplinary groups.

FAO Soil Biodiversity Portal (http://www.fao.org/agl/agll/soilbiod/default.htm)
Book: P. Lavelle, L. Brussaard & P.F. Hendrix, eds. 1999. Earthworm management in tropical agro-ecosystems, pp. 199-237. Wallingford, UK, CABI.

Jawaharlal Nehru University
Prof. P.S. Ramakrishnan
[email protected]
Shifting agriculture and sustainable development.

N.E. India; Central Himalayas; Western Ghats.
Farming systems, natural ecosystem and landscape management.

Sustainable agriculture.
Researchers, NGOs, local communities.

Developed indigenously through adaptive methodology development.

Sustainable agriculture and livelihoods.
Outputs since 1970s.

More than 350 research papers by the author, 14 research volumes, audiovisual material.

CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana Dr. A. P. Gupta
[email protected]
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Prof. V. Beri
[email protected]
Use of rice-straw for integrated nutrient management. Ecofriendly use of rice-straw instead of its burning.

Indo-Gangetic plain.
Irrigated areas, rice- and wheat-based cropping system with inclusion of legumes.

Low or no profits from uneconomical and ecologically unsafe cropping systems due to intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers.

Suitable low-cost machinery with ability to sow crops in low or no-till systems.

Technology of using manually harvested rice-straw (with or without ex situ composting) as surface mulch - a technology for cash-poor farmers. Biological management of soils is enhanced.

Technology is available with different researchers.
Adaptation research and upscaling are key to application in farmers’ fields.

ICRISAT, Patancheru
Dr. O.P. Rupela
[email protected]
Managing insect-pests through microbial pesticides and by enhancing ecological (both soil and crop) biodiversity through use of trap crops and natural enemies of insect-pests.

Semi-arid lands of S. & S.E. Asia.
Pigeon pea and cotton-based systems.

Researchers, extensionists and policy-makers.

Use of herbal extracts and microbial pesticides to protect crops.
Applied to other regions if more research is conducted.

Biopesticides of commercial value intended to be available for wider use in 5 years.
Some farmers are marketing herbal pesticides with the help of NGOs in the region.

Expected research products need to be combined with traditional knowledge.
Publications. Systemwide programme on IPM coordinated from IITA.

BHUTAN

National Soil Service Centre
Thimphu Tsewang Dorji
[email protected]
Soil biological indicator assessment: integrated agrobiodiversity indicator for policy monitoring and evaluation.
Support soil fertility protection through conservation of biodiversity and microbial activity, nutrient cycling.

Low-input traditional farming system.

Land degradation: organic matter depletion, decrease of soil biodiversity.
Researchers, extensionists and farmers.

Field-based bioindicators for visual assessment by farmers: measuring kits for solid respiration, pH, organic matter, total C, total N.

Contribution and cooperation with international and national initiatives related to biodiversity indicators.

BURKINA FASO and SENEGAL

Institut pour l’Environnement et la Recherche Agricole (INERA)
Abdoulaye Mando
[email protected]
Soil rehabilitation using organic resources and soil fauna.

Sahelian and savannah region.
Agro-pastoral and sylvo-pastoral systems.

Production loss, soil degradation, biodiversity loss.
Researchers and farmers.

Soil management technologies and principles; already available and improved in 2004.

Training of farmers, training of masters and Ph.D. students.

Institut pour l’Environnement et la Recherche Agricole (INERA)
Abdoulaye Mando
[email protected]
Biological indicators (soil fauna, soil micro-organisms and C stocks) research along a climatic gradient in W. Africa.

Agro-pastoral and sylvo-pastoral systems.

Lack of knowledge.
NGOs, project funders, and research institutes

Ph.D. training, scientist training during short visits.

SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICA

1. SEARCA Research, Natal Agricultural Department
ZIMBABWE
ACT Network, Richard Fowler
[email protected]
Communal Land Project - Denmark-supported project on sustainable land use.

S. & E. Africa.
Small communal arable farmers.

Production and preservation of surface mulches.
Researchers, extensionists and farmers.

System to reduce soil water loss.
In 3-5 years (2005-07)

Enhanced adoption by farmers of conservation tillage.

2. African Conservation Tillage Network (ACT)
ZIMBABWE, TANZANIA, SOUTH AFRICA
ACT Network, Richard Fowler
[email protected]
Pilot projects on conservation agriculture.

S. & E. Africa.
Small-scale agriculture and livestock.

Dissemination of conservation agricultural technologies.
Researchers, extensionists and farmers.

Adoption of conservation tillage systems. In 2-3 years (2004-05).

Enhanced adoption by farmers of conservation tillage.

3. FAO/COSPE/ARC
SWAZILAND, MOZAMBIQUE, SOUTH AFRICA
ACT Network, Richard Fowler
[email protected]
Identification and utilization of indigenous plants in conservation agriculture systems COSPE - Cooperazione per lo Sviluppo dei Paesi Emergenti, Italy.
ARC - Agricultural Research Council, S. Africa.

Small-scale communal system.

Conservation of natural resources.
Researchers, extensionists and farmers.

In 5 years (2007).

Extensionists empowered. Understanding of soil biological processes enhanced.

University of Cape Town,
Felix D. Dakora
[email protected]
BNF and root activity in soils, nutrient management in cropping systems.
Visualization of root clusters as evidence of plant’s search for P.

Small- and large-scale farming systems as well as natural ecosystems.

N and P nutrition in cropping systems.
Business and researchers, farmers and technical extension staff.

Routine methods used in University of Cape Town and colleagues’ laboratories.
Indigenous farmers’ and business knowledge (Rooibos Tea Co.)

Identification of high-N₂-fixing grain legumes resistant to insect pests.
Technologies for improving P and N nutrition in Rooibos tea legumes.
Result: 2004-06)

Shared experience between University of Cape Town and farmers.
Training of young scientists in soil biology.

EAST AFRICA
MIRCEN, Nairobi
Nancy Karanja
[email protected]
1. Biofertilizers (Rhizobia inoculants) used leading to improved soil fertility under smallholder farming systems, crop production.
2. Reduced urban pollution through solid/liquid waste recycling.

1. Organic farming systems (subsistence).
2. Industrial crops, eg. coffee, pineapple and fruit trees.

1. Infertile and highly degraded soils (low crop productivity).
2. Environmental pollution in urban areas. Farmers, extensionists, researchers and policy-makers.

1. Rhizobia inoculants’ technology. Availability of bioproducts.
2. Composting by earthworms.

Appropriate education materials for various groups.

Training farmers, extensionists and scientists on benefits of soil micro-organisms, e.g. rhizobia inoculants, mycorrhiza and vermicomposting. Strong collaborative links established among stakeholders. Institutional strengthening.