GFRAS, the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services, will soon begin implementation of an Agroecology project in close collaboration with IFAD, the International Fund for Agriculture Development. The project, entitled “Global Programme for Small-Scale Agroecology Producers and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation”, GP-SAEP in short, is part of a larger funding...

By 2050 it is estimated that the global population will surpass nine billion. Food production must be sufficient to equitably feed such a growing population. With productive arable land and freshwater resources severely constrained in many parts of world and unsustainable agricultural practices and climate change, it is imperative that...

Concilier revenus décents pour les producteurs.trices, modes de production résilients et alimentation accessible : telle est la difficile équation à résoudre lorsqu’il s’agit de parler de commerce à l’heure du développement durable. Dans ce troisième numéro de Transition(s) Farm, nous posons trois grandes questions : les règles du commerce sont-elles compatibles...

The international organic certification system can be bureaucratic and expensive, and beyond the reach of smallholder ecological farmers who produce for the local market. In many countries, Participatory Guarantee Systems, or PGS, are emerging as an alternative accreditation system. While PGS systems are created locally and differ from one country...

Local varieties often cope better with drought and other stresses, and outperform modern varieties when grown under ecological conditions. Collect traditional varieties by visiting seed savers in their homes, or while attending seed festivals and farmer training events. Seed savers and seed producers select the varieties they like most. These...

Because of our seed bank, we have native varieties again. By using indigenous seed our costs have reduced as we can grow and keep our own seed. So, we don’t have to depend on the market. In our seed bank, we also train farmers how to grow crops organically, free...

By installing an integrated farm, you can produce something on every inch of land, while reducing waste and buying fewer inputs. Draw a map of your farm and decide where to grow what crops, trees and vegetables, based on your knowledge of which crops need sun and which grow in...

People who traditionally eat insects, such as grasshoppers, termites, white ants or crickets catch them in the wild when they are in season. In some places there are now fewer edible insects because the environment has been damaged. Rearing insects on your farm can provide proteins throughout the year. Edible...

People who traditionally eat insects, such as grasshoppers, termites, white ants or crickets catch them in the wild when they are in season. In some places there are now fewer edible insects because the environment has been damaged. Rearing insects on your farm can provide proteins throughout the year. Edible...

When selling in fairs, you can create an identity as a group, for example, by using the same signs, aprons and table cloths. Organize recreational, educational activities with consumers, and their kids. Make alliances with local authorities to create places to sell ecological food, differentiated from those produced with agrochemicals....

Fusarium wilt is a fungal disease that lives in the soil and that spreads through infected seeds. The fungus can survive in the soil for about 3 years. Seed treatment improves germination and helps to keep the crop free from diseases that are in the soil or on the seed....

Some plants repel insects naturally. Grow them in between your crop to deter insects. By knowing the wild plants that grow in your area, you can prepare your own herbal insect repellent at no cost. Add cow urine to help extract the repelling compounds from milky latex leaves, bitter-tasting leaves...

To reduce the foul odour in your shed, place dry husks, sawdust, coconut dust or straw on the floor and regularly spray it with good micro-organisms. By adding micro-organisms to concentrate feed, silage or green fodder, this improves the nutrition and digestion. You can also add good microbes to the...

You can add good micro-organisms to your pond water to ensure good water quality. You can also treat the fry before stocking the pond. By adding good micro-organisms to your feed, it will be safer and better for the fish. At the time of harvesting your fish, sprinkle some micro-organisms...

In the coastal region of Niayes, close to Senegal’s capital Dakar, Binta Ba is training her fellow growers in agroecology, an integrated approach applying ecological and social concepts to sustainable agriculture, which turns a lot of conventional farming wisdom on its head. As the implementation of the global Voluntary Guidelines on the...

Cassava should have a clean, fresh scent and a pure white center when cut open. Fresh roots also have a pleasant taste.When using bitter cassava, ferment the peeled roots for 3 days to leach out the poison cyanide, Then wash the roots.

As collective irrigation canals deteriorate over time, farmers waste resources and efforts in simple daily tasks. With increasing scarcity and degradation of water quality, farmers must pay attention to improve water use.

Poultry waste is rich in nitrogen and other nutrients, and is good food for beneficial microbes in the soil. Mix it with decomposed cow dung and carbon-rich materials. To speed up decomposition, sprinkle organic decomposer or Trichoderma on the waste. From rotten eggs you can make a growth promoter, by...

Instead of planting suckers directly, you can grow many new healthy plants from each bulb. Learn how to disinfect the bulbs using a natural solution and place them in moist sawdust in a germination box. From one bulb you can get at least 50 healthy suckers that are ready for...

Mix legumes and grasses to improve the soil fertility, and the nutritional value of the feed. It also improves the yields of the potatoes that you plant next. If you are not able to irrigate, plant the fodder at the beginning of the rains. The mix should include plants that...