Jesus fed the multitudes with a limited amount of resources and we are told little is much when God is in it. Today's farming is going to massive industrial operations that crank out commercial crops, but there will always be the small farmer of the poor that feed or supplement their families from their gardens. Let's use the resources available to help them succeed. I have been investigating different ideas for programs that could help the agriculture of our brothers and sisters in Central America and the Caribbean. To be effective, yet economical with the least amount of cumbersome kind of change is a challenge. For instance if you introduce equipment or parts that can brake down your project may be doomed to failure if those parts can not be readily repaired or in supply. I have come across some recommendations of a Dr. Roland Bunch that has done a considerable amount of work in Honduras. He gives us a few pointers to consider before we get started.
Dr. Roland Bunch
A leading proponent of an approach to rural agricultural development in the Third World that favors self-motivation and self-reliance and sustainable, "people-centered" agriculture.
Argues that for technologies (and these kind of projects) to be successful:
1. There should be rapid, identifiable gains for the farmers.
2.The process should be initiated using a small number of technologies.
3.Farmers should be encouraged to avoid all forms of dependency and be capable of taking over programmes when development agencies leave.
/SARD/en/init/1364/1402/1408/index.html
I really want to get his book:
Some Suggestions for Agriculture (Not related with above book)
These are ideas I know of especially being implemented in Haiti
1. Terracing
Like our Church has been doing in Haiti. It holds moisture and keeps hillsides from eroding. Crop improvements of 100% have been reported. The only problem is that it takes continued prodding to keep this going. It is not that natives do not grasp its importance or master it's design and construction. It is just enough work that it requires alot of trust for one neighbor to help you build your terraces and expect you to return in a timely manner to complete his. The system has been to pay money or food to get and keep these projects rolling.
2. Road Building
Allows produce and supplies to reach their market.
3. Tree Nurseries
In Haiti it costs about 10,000 US dollars to set up a tree nursery to supply the area with fast growing mahogany and oak trees for reforestation. It is a set up of poles holding up a netting to protect tender plants from hot sun. These set-ups can be used to distribute and sell fruit trees that are suitable for the area. The money made can be used to employ full time gardener. To date these projects have proved to need continued outside support.
4. Tilapia Fish Farming
A fast growing lower maintenance fish that can be grown in cages in rivers or lakes.
5.Poultry barns
6. Disease Resistant Goats and Sheep
7.Magic Circle, No Till and Organic Farming
In relation to Dr. Roland Bunch here are some of their suggestions of building up the soil naturally without the use of fetilizer.
To create a magic circle, make a hole about SIX feet in diameter and eighteen to thirty-six inches deep. Form the extracted soil into a ring around the circle. In the ring, plant four to six banana plants. In between these, you can plant an equal number of taro and sweet potato plants. Fill the center with organic materials such as banana trunks, leaves, or kitchen scraps, and the area will be fertilized. The hole will keep the material in one place. Now you will have an area full of plant life which absorbs sunlight, leaving no light or space for weeds.
http://www.organicpanamapermaculture.com/magic-circle.php
Soil: Soil that is rich has 25,000 varieties of bacteria inside each spoonful and millions of individual organisms. Sterile soil has the minerals but not in forms that the plants can use. Plants find the minerals in usable forms when the soil is filled with life like bacteria and fungus.
http://www.organicpanamapermaculture.com/soil-and-fertilizer.php
8. Irrigation and Wells
Dr. Roland Bunch
A leading proponent of an approach to rural agricultural development in the Third World that favors self-motivation and self-reliance and sustainable, "people-centered" agriculture.
Argues that for technologies (and these kind of projects) to be successful:
1. There should be rapid, identifiable gains for the farmers.
2.The process should be initiated using a small number of technologies.
3.Farmers should be encouraged to avoid all forms of dependency and be capable of taking over programmes when development agencies leave.
Sourced from
http://www.fao.org/SARD/en/init/1364/1402/1408/index.html
I really want to get his book:
Two Ears of Corn: A Guide to People-Centered Agricultural Improvement
Some Suggestions for Agriculture (Not related with above book)
These are ideas I know of especially being implemented in Haiti
1. Terracing
2. Road Building
Allows produce and supplies to reach their market.
3. Tree Nurseries
4. Tilapia Fish Farming
5.Poultry barns
6. Disease Resistant Goats and Sheep
7.Magic Circle, No Till and Organic Farming
In relation to Dr. Roland Bunch here are some of their suggestions of building up the soil naturally without the use of fetilizer.
To create a magic circle, make a hole about SIX feet in diameter and eighteen to thirty-six inches deep. Form the extracted soil into a ring around the circle. In the ring, plant four to six banana plants. In between these, you can plant an equal number of taro and sweet potato plants. Fill the center with organic materials such as banana trunks, leaves, or kitchen scraps, and the area will be fertilized. The hole will keep the material in one place. Now you will have an area full of plant life which absorbs sunlight, leaving no light or space for weeds.
http://www.organicpanamapermaculture.com/magic-circle.php
Soil: Soil that is rich has 25,000 varieties of bacteria inside each spoonful and millions of individual organisms. Sterile soil has the minerals but not in forms that the plants can use. Plants find the minerals in usable forms when the soil is filled with life like bacteria and fungus.
http://www.organicpanamapermaculture.com/soil-and-fertilizer.php
8. Irrigation and Wells
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