Technology & Sustainability Develops One Village at a Time.

jenngross said 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing all of these ideas. Which one would you start with?

How would you introduce vertiver grass to Ugandans?

Can you think of any barriers that might prevent people from planting this grass?

Why do you think few people have adopted the vertiver system?

Before you offer fruit trees and other fruits and vegetables, perhaps you could offer a training to make sure everyone is knowledgeable about planting, caring for the fruits/vegetables, etc. What do you think?

Good luck.

jobi said 2 years ago

Thanks Jenngross. Actually we have started with the vertiver grass. We have planted the "nursery bank" and we will be able to get seedlings from it a year now. Training about the grass has been provided by a NGO, among the only two NGOs that we are aware are using this grass though not adding value to it. We are also going to order a taining DVD set from the vertiver network to enable us provide further knowledge ourselves to future vertiver growers hence save our already limited money.

The only barrier that will prevent people from planting this grass will be its high cost. However given our intervention, we hope to fix a reasonable price for sale of the grass from our farmer groups.

Few people have adopted the vertiver system because many lack knowledge about it. Those who grow the grass just know it for its soil erosion prevention quality and thats all. Given the proper training and availability of value adding simple technologies like the oil extractor together with demonstration farms in different areas this situation can be reversed.

Indeed, you are right about the training. Mr Ken H from mini-farms in USA provided us with a DVD set of organic farming methods including zero tilling, drip irrigation during the dry season, compost making etc. The fruit tree growing training we intend to call on the NAADS officials (government trainers) to assist and give training to atleast one ot two groups who will in turn teach others.

I know its probably too late for the contest but hope i have been able to answer your questions.