Training News

 

In this section we welcome all your experiences in working directly with the end-users of arthropod and microbial biocontrol agents or in educational activities on biological control and IPM aimed at students, farmers, extension staff, policymakers or the wider public.

Rice Seed Health Looking Shipshape

Recent visitors to a village market in Bogra in Bangladesh found something unusual on display: an array of tables and potted rice plants surrounded by a cluster of farmers keen to explain how these objects related to improved rice yields in their fields. This Going Public exercise was part of an innovative project for improving rice seed health amongst resource-poor farmers.

Rice production is crucial to the Bangladesh economy. Some 75% of the cropped area and 83% of the total irrigated area are devoted to rice cultivation, and an estimated 60-70% of the labour force is employed in rice production, processing marketing and distribution. However, up to 95% of rice farmers in Bangladesh rely on their own seed for establishing the next season's crop. Declining seed quality owing to pests and diseases is a major problem, partly attributable to improper seed drying and storage during the rainy season. Appropriate farmer training (and particularly of women, who are mainly responsible for post-harvest activities) would enable farmers to improve seed quality, for until now they have had little understanding of the impact of improper drying and storage on seed health.

The Seed Health Improvement sub-Project (SHIP) operates under the PETRRA (Poverty Elimination through Rice Research Assistance) project, funded by DFID (UK Department for International Development). SHIP began in 1999 as a collaboration between BRRI (Bangladesh Rice Research Institute), IRRI (International Rice Research Institute), CABI Bioscience and a number of national and international NGOs in Bangladesh. The project is using Participatory Technology Development (PTD) and Farmer Participatory Research (FPR) approaches to reduce losses in crop yield and post-harvest through the development, evaluation and recommendation of appropriate seed health practices at farmer, seed industry and research levels.

During the first 18-month phase of the project, the existing on-farm situation was assessed regarding seed-borne rice diseases and quantified yield losses. Using formal survey and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques, socioeconomists from IRRI investigated farmers' own perceptions of seed health problems and their solution. The survey collected data from 560 plots at seven key sites in different agroecological zones of Bangladesh using multistage purposive sampling. Also during this phase, farmers' seed management practices were assessed together with the effects of improved seed quality on reducing pest damage. These activities facilitated the drawing up of a demand-led prioritized programme for implementation during the second phase of the project.

Farmer training in the first phase focused mainly on manual seed cleaning, while local collaborators honed skills in collecting and analysing socioeconomic and field pest data. Farmer trials in Chuadanga, for example, investigated the performance of crop grown from 'cleaned' and 'uncleaned' seed, and the relative expediency of different seed cleaning and sorting procedures. Farmers acknowledged that using clean seed gave more vigourous and healthier plants and (up to 22%) higher yields, and said they would continue to adopt this practice. However, they pointed out that seed sorting and cleaning is slow and tedious, is difficult for people who are older and/or have bad eyesight, and bending to sort on the floor gave back ache. Solutions proposed included involving younger people in seed cleaning and sorting, taking breaks from the activity, and sorting on a table rather than the floor.

The second phase of the SHIP project began in 2001 with activities focused on improving post-harvest treatment of rice destined for seed, including drying and storage. Two workshops facilitated by CABI Bioscience introduced project staff, field researchers, local engineers, administrators, etc. from the seven key sites to participatory approaches, including discovery learning, action planning, documentation, impact assessment and facilitation (for this last topic, CABI Bioscience worked closely with a local facilitator from the Participatory Promotors Society of Bangladesh, PPS-BD). Project staff and facilitators then initiated FPR/PTD activities in their villages, but what each village focused on depended on farmers' priorities and time schedules. At an early stage, it became apparent that although there were many problems, there was enormous potential and enthusiasm for developing appropriate solutions.

In Gazipur, Barisal and Chuadanga, FPR focused on assessing storage containers and the use of seed preservatives (neem). However, inventorying traditional technologies and knowledge may uncover a wider range of options for testing - for example different neem preparations, other botanicals such as tobacco, or the use of desiccants such as chalk.

In Bogra and Rangpur, the emphasis was on developing better drying methods through PTD. Through discovery learning, women in one village came up with the concept of mobile drying tables, which they subsequently designed and made with the help of their husbands or of local craftsmen, using locally available and low-cost materials. Drying is particularly problematic for the rice crop harvested at the end of April/May, which is the beginning of the rainy (boro) season. Improperly dried seed is the primary cause of poor seed health and germination during storage. During this project, however, an astonishing array of designs has been developed: apart from improved drying all models have multi-purpose use: larger stronger tables are used for threshing - and relaxing on afterwards! Lighter models are used for storage in the kitchen when not needed for drying. There was even a folding table, which could be stored on the roof while not in use.

A trial of the innovative feedback and scaling-up approach, Going Public, involved a village picture exhibition and a crossroads demonstration of the multi-purpose seed drying tables developed by the villagers. This stimulated a two-way exchange between project participants and passers by and provided quick feedback, new perspectives and additional knowledge. A subsequent Going Public session at a local market exhibited three models of drying tables, potted mature rice displaying disease (brown spot) symptoms, along with cleaned and uncleaned seed and 2-week old seedlings grown from the two seed batches. Farmers trained through the project took over the role of explaining the benefits of cleaned and properly dried seed to their fellow-farmers. A profitable side-effect of the project is that the farmers are also developing a business mentality and are starting to sell their own quality seed. The Going Public approach has provided the trained farmers with confidence to start marketing their acquired skills and knowledge. The Going Public approach uses an arena where farmers meet naturally, rather than special meetings, which has distinct advantages: farmers are not placed in the unfamiliar setting of a formal meeting, and resource-poor farmers often cannot afford to set time aside for formal training sessions.

Next, the SHIP project aims to tackle the effects of pest insects, diseases and weeds in seed health through discovery-based learning exercises. CABI Bioscience will develop the capacity of local researchers for turning scientific information into discovery learning exercises. These are aimed at improving farmers' knowledge about storage pests and diseases, including diagnostics, biology and ecology and management options. Apart from these activities, training is being provided in methodologies for scaling-up and disseminating the outputs on a national scale.

Already, though, a shift in the mindset of the participating farmers can be seen, from "we know nothing" to a level of confidence that allows them not only to make suggestions for improving post-harvest technology, but also to take control of developing their ideas and communicating their findings to other farmers. Such success has been achieved through focusing on the needs of the farmers, keeping open minds, and stressing a people-centered rather than a technology- or science-focused approach. As a direct spin-off, the national research curriculum is now partly driven by project activities in communities. In this way, the SHIP project is beginning to have a direct impact on improving livelihoods for resource-poor farmers in Bangladesh, but the approaches pioneered here have potential applications on a much wider scale in other crops and other countries.

Contact: Paul Van Mele, CABI Bioscience UK Centre, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey TW20 9TY
Email: p.vanmele@cabi.org
Fax: +44 1491 829100

❑

Publicizing Parthenium Biocontrol

The Indian National Research Centre for Weed Science (NRCWS) in Jabalpur has gone on the offensive against Parthenium hysterophorus, and is busy recruiting the general public as allies in its war.

The invasive potential of Parthenium in India is fuelled by its capacity to germinate throughout the year in a wide range of environments and soils, and the massive numbers of lightweight seeds it produces. Quite apart from the losses this leads to in agricultural, forestry and horticultural crops, the plant is also allergenic and toxic and causes serious health problems in livestock and man.

The NRCWS is therefore developing a proactive approach to manage this weed, with public awareness and participation playing key roles. It initiated an awareness campaign in and around Jabalpur involving governmental and non-governmental organizations, residents, schools and village councils [gram panchayats]. At meetings in July 2001, local residents saw thousands of biological control agents (the Mexican beetle Zygogramma bicolorata) being released, and methods of mass rearing were also demonstrated. Cultures of the beetle may be obtained free of charge, and cheap and easy rearing methods are being developed at NRCWS. After seeing the beetle in action, many people contacted the Centre and obtained cultures.

The effect of the beetle releases will be monitored over time. It is recognized that this is just the beginning, and that complete biological control of this weed is a long way off still. However, by engaging the public actively in the process, the NRCWS aims to increase the numbers of beetles released, improve public understanding of biological control, and increase public awareness of the dangers of this weed.

Source: Anon (2001) Biological warfare against parthenium intensified. Weed News (a newsletter of National Research Centre for Weed Science, Jabalpur) Vol. 1 No. 4, p. 1.

NRCWS website: www.nrcws.org
Email: nrcws@sancharnet.in

❑

Children Trade Places with Banana Farmers

'Trading Places' was the first in a series of public Internet debates organized by WWF (the Worldwide Fund for Nature). The 2-week debate in March 2002 used bananas to help children explore how consumer choices in the UK impact on people and environments around the world. The debate formed part of 'Fairtrade Fortnight', a campaign by the Fairtrade Foundation that focused on the links between consumers and producers. By involving children, WWF aims to bring sustainability issues into the classroom, allowing pupils to communicate with a range of stakeholders on key environmental questions. The debate forms part of WWF's preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa this September.

For the 2 weeks of the 'Trading Places' debate, children between the ages of 9 and 11 took on the role of West Indian smallholder banana farmers faced with a series of environmental and economic dilemmas. At the outset, they were given fact files on bananas, Fair Trade and the World Summit, and an introduction to the banana industry and international trade. Competition between large companies and small island producers was explained, together with the status of the preferential trade agreement between small Caribbean islands and the European Union (the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled to abolish this after representations by large banana companies, a decision that is currently under appeal). The children opted for one of three roles: a farmer of a long-established smallholding who decides to remain independent and hopes the trade agreement is upheld; a small farmer who decides to sell his/her land and become an employee of a banana company that has a large plantation on the island, or a farmer who joins a Fairtrade cooperative. The children were asked to think about the wider repercussions of their decision on the families - on their ability to grow their own food, for example.

Newsflashes throughout the debate gave the youngsters fresh angles to consider and introduced them to problems faced by banana growers in an economy heavily dependent on growing and exporting bananas to Europe. To help, the children could draw on websites and online experts. The debate had input from diverse international banana expertise including Agrofair, Banana Link, CABI Bioscience, Chiquita, the Fairtrade Foundation, journalists, Oxfam, the Rainforest Alliance, WINFA (Windward Islands Farmers' Association) and WWF, as well as real banana growers and plantation workers.

The young virtual farmers began by having to cope with a hurricane and its aftermath, which led them to discuss refugees and disaster relief. Next, the school leaving age was raised, and they debated education and child labour issues. A news flash reporting alarms about pesticide use in bananas and its health implications for workers and consumers prompted a discussion about pesticide safety and worker protection. The next flash revealed an outbreak of black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) on organic farms on the mythical island, and they were given a briefing on the epidemiology and control of the disease. Subsequent discussions brought out the conflicts between organic and non-organic production, especially when faced with containing such a disease.

The following news flash announced that the large banana company planned to expand its plantation on the island, and the children had to consider their options: remain independent, sell up or go co-operative. This was followed by the final flash, which dealt with the special trade agreement, and the children had to re-evaluate their position in the light of the hypothetical failure of the appeal.

The enthusiasm of the children as the debate progressed was self-evident. In their summing up, they agreed that they had learned a lot about bananas and Fair Trade, and about more complex topics such as pesticide use and smallholder livelihoods. Some issues were not easy for children to grasp; "difficult but fun", as one student wrote. One great success was the rapport built up between children and experts. The children were delighted be able to ask questions and to receive answers to every one, and, as Moderator Gillian Symons said, they asked some very interesting questions which the experts enjoyed answering. She added that the children came to some very thoughtful conclusions; WWF representatives will present these to world leaders at the World Summit. As Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State, DEFRA (UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) said at the launch of the debate, children will be the beneficiaries of the decisions taken by world leaders in Johannesburg this year. She described the World Summit as a landmark opportunity, 10 years on from the Rio Earth Summit, to set a framework for sustainability and improving the quality of life of people now and in future generations all over the world. She said that the UK government wanted to hear from children: about their concerns and what they are prepared to do to tackle some of the problems. WWF will be hosting a further primary school debate and two for secondary schools before the World Summit takes place.

Websites:
WWF Debates:
wwflearning.co.uk/ourworld/debates.shtml
Fairtrade Foundation:
www.fairtrade.org.uk