Broodstock Selection

Successful farming requires fish breeders to select broodstock for increased production in quality and quantity of fish seeds. Broodstock is a good predictor of fecundity and can be used to select fish of higher seed production.

When selecting broodstock, farmers should look for the following:

• Brooders must be secured from a trusted source and advisable to procure brooders from a Multiplication Centre for genetically improved strains
• Younger brooders of one year should be selected.
• It is preferable for brooders to weigh 150-300 g on average
• Highly vigorous, well-fed brooders must be selected
• Avoid feeble or diseased brooders
• The brooder should have no wounds or parasites
• The body should possess the required shape, conformations, and proportions.

Broodstock Management

• The sex ratio of males to females for all types of breeding facilities ranges from 1:2-3 (male: female) per m2
• Replace brooders with new ones of the same species every three years
• Keep records for each batch of broodstock
• Remove the premaxilla of the male fish by clipping it with scissors to prevent injury or the death of females during courtship
• Spawning is so stressful to the female brooders. Therefore, the need for balanced feeds to improve reproductive capacity and to produce highly vigorous fry, free from malformations
• Floating feeds are currently used to reduce feed loss and maintain water quality.
• Loss of appetite is considered indicative of the number of brooders carrying eggs in each unit
• Feed broodstock daily with formulated dry pellets that contain 30%–35% dietary crude protein
• Feed them twice daily at a feeding rate of 1%–2% of their weight
• Remove the eggs to prevent the females from incubating their eggs orally. This allows better control of hatching and lets the female produce another batch of eggs.

Seed collection and egg incubation

• Tilapia show a high degree of parental care for their eggs and fry
• Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and three-spotted tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii) are mouthbrooders
• They incubate the eggs in their mouth until they are fully hatched
• Collecting fry collection from ponds usually occurs every 7–21 days
• Female broodstock must be checked regularly for eggs. If they carry eggs in their mouths, they must be collected and transferred into the hatchery.
• Transfer harvested eggs and yolk-sac larvae to the hatchery section
• Clean and washed with clean water first then disinfected with potassium permanganate (2 ppm which is 2 mg in 1 liter of clean water) for 30 minutes and then washed in clean water again.
• Gently transfer the eggs into incubating Jar or tray which can be a more effective method for creating optimal health conditions of fry and for better control. However, it is very labor-intensive and not the most cost-effective technique
• Hapa technology is a convenient means of collecting and rearing tilapia fry and cost-effective

Sex reversal Hormone feed preparation and Management Practices

• Dissolve exactly 4-5 g of methyltestosterone in exactly 1.0 liter of 95% ethyl alcohol. (This quantity is sufficient to treat approximately 300,000 fries)
• Prepare the ground and sieve the dry feed ingredients
• Mix the alcohol-hormone stock solution with the alcohol
• Add solution slowly and mix it with the dry feed ingredients
• Allow the alcohol to evaporate at room temperature with no direct sunlight by spreading out the mixture to a maximum thickness of 3–5 cm and mixing lightly
• Store stock solution at 4 0C
• Treated feeds can be packed once the mixture feels dry to the touch and all the odor of the alcohol has disappeared. This ensures>98% reversal of sex to male

The following are the materials needed to produce 1 kg of sex reversal feed:

• 1 kg of 0.2 mm feed (with at least 40% protein)
• 4–5 g of 17 alpha methyltestosterone hormone
• 1.0 liter of 95% ethyl alcohol (WorldFish Egypt Abbassa recommendation)

Hormonal Sex- reversal

2 Synthetic Androgens used in masculinizing tilapia

Ethyl testosterone

Methyltestosterone

However, the hormone is used for a very short time, and several studies have shown that: it is cost-effective and testosterone levels in adult fish that have been hormonally sex-reversed are actually very low.

• Make sure the facility has a protocol for managing water used for sex reversal.
• Do not release hormone-treated water directly into the environment.
• Always comply with government standards, where these exist

Better Management Practices  of Sex Reversed Seeds

• Fry must not be more than 17 days old.
• The correct hormone dose is 4–5 mg and feed must have high palatability (25%–45% protein)
• Feed tilapia between three and six times daily
• Make sure the fish do not show any signs of disease
• Maintain an optimal temperature <320C
• Ensure fry are of uniform size to prevent cannibalism
• Control the level of natural food
• Store hormones and hormone-treated feed at a temperature of 40C
• The optimal fry density is 1000/m2 or 12 fry/L
• Treatment duration should take a minimum of 21–28 days for more reliable sex-reversed success
• After treatment, there should be a few fries under 14 mm in size. However, if more than 5% of the fry are 13 mm or smaller, remove those fry because 25% of them could be females.

Fry grading

• Large differences in size imply different consumption patterns and additional competition for food in nursing and grow-out ponds in which the winners are the larger fish.

It is best to grade the fish 2 times:

• After hormone treatment (21 days).
• before transferring fingerlings from nursery to grow-out ponds

Fry harvesting Tips

• The number of fry per bag varies according to fry size and to distance traveled
• Avoid harvest/handling the fry at noon or at high temperatures.
  Grade the fry at harvest to accurately determine their numbers before sale or transportation
• Avoid size discrepancies that may occur at the rearing units
• Move the fry to the storage units in barrels or plastic basins, oxygenated bags and avoid overcrowding to reduce stress or loss of part of the harvest during transfer.
  The size of the counting scoop net at sale varies with the size of the fry. Count a scoop sample before packaging the fry at sales.

Nursery Phase

• Fry size is small for stocking in grow-out ponds.
• When tilapia fry have reached 1g they are raised in nursery facilities until they reach 10-50 grams fingerlings.
• Nursery phase feed conversion (FCR) is typically still close to 1.
• Stocking rates in ponds can range from 10- 50 fish/m2.

Hapa Technology

• A hapa is a cage-like, rectangular, or square net impoundment placed in a pond for holding fish for various purposes.
• Made of fine mesh netting material with mesh to prevent the escape of fry or fish.
• Sizes vary but the ideal size measures 3 m long, 3 m wide, and 1.5 m deep.
• Males are polygamous and brooders should be stocked at a density of 1 male to 3 females per meter square
• Removal of fry is by using scoop net or hand net
• Can collect the hapa and carefully catch the brooders by a wide net and collect the fry to stock it into another hapa.

Water Quality

Water quality affects fish health and survival in extreme conditions. Tilapia does well in high-quality water and the following Physico-chemical properties:

• The water quality parameters should be monitored regularly to find out the condition of the broodstock and fry and record daily per pond.
• Temperature, oxygen, ammonia, pH, suspended solids
• When water temperatures approach 30ËšC, extra water renewal is needed
• Ammonia is measured several hours after feeding. Maintain concentrations below 0.1 mg/L Since ammonia can be related to pH, higher levels of ammonia can be safe in the water with a pH of 7 but not at a pH >9
• Tilapia start to die at a nitrate concentration of 5 mg/L, and high levels of it can cause brown blood disease.
• Oxygen below 5 ppm is already sub-optimal for broodstock tilapia (200-400 gm) Air blower is needed in broodstock and fry ponds.
• In bad Water quality broodstock stop spawning and high mortality in fry ponds

2. Tigoi Fish Farm Vihiga County-Kenya

Zinath Deen is the manager of Tigoi Fish farm, which was established in 2012 in Kenya. The farm increased annual production from 120,000 to 360,000 mono sex tilapia fingerlings in hapas due to Aquaculture Compact intervention, and increased annual income from USD 16,649 to USD 49,440 (Figure 6). Tigoi Fish farm played a great role in improving the knowledge and skills of 38 additional new fish farmers including both youth and women to scaling up Mono Sex Tilapia Technology.

3. Youth Enterprise- Ibadan Nigeria 

The fisheries enterprise of IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) in Ibadan Nigeria is managed by young female entrepreneur called Ohwofasa Faith Oghenefogho. Prior to the Aquaculture Compact intervention, IYA fish enterprise has not produced tilapia since inception but only catfish production. After six months of adopting the mono-sex tilapia technology, the farm produced 10,000 mono sex tilapia fingerlings and earned additional income of USD 625. Besides boosting their If you are interested to start your business in fish production through Mono Sex Tilapia technology, please contact the following institutions and people: Prof. Fregene Bernadette (World Fish): [email protected] If you want to learn more about Aquaculture, please visit the following sites: www.worldfishcenter.org This outreach promotional material is developed by Prof. Bernadette Fregene (WorldFish), Prof. Paul Bolorunduro (NAERLS-Nigeria), Olaniyi Ajibola (WorldFish), Dr. Samson Eshetu (AFAAS), Krishan Bheenick (FARA), Karen Munoko (FARA) and Benjamin Abugri (FARA) through the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Programme of the Feed Africa initiative funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). benefits from the intervention, the enterprise contributed in provision of training and improving knowledge and skills of more than 30 youths including new entrepreneurs on mono sex Tilapia fingerlings production. Currently, through scaling up of the technology, the trained youths were able to start a new business for production of mono sex tilapia for consumption using cage culture production system

Importance Of A Business Plan To The Business Owners

• • It serves as Road Map that clarifies the direction for implementing business goals and objectives.
  • It helps in obtaining financing for the business
  • It shows the vision of a business enterprise and helps in setting targets for achieving them.
  • It forms a basis to compare the actual results and planned results of a business in order to investigate the differences and take corrective measures.
  • It shows the cost and revenue analysis as well as the profitability and viability analysis of a business.
  • A research tool that helps the business owner to discover more about every aspect of the business

Importance Of A Business Plan To The Business Promoters

• A medium for informing prospective investors and bankers and also provides a yardstick against which both the management and investors will monitor the success achieved.
• It helps the business promoters to understand the business more.
• A business plan can give an idea of the potential impacts of the business on society.
• It helps to determine the possibility of loan repayment.

Stakeholders interested in farm business plan

1. 1. The management team – roadmap or blueprint for the actualization of organizational goals and objective
   2. Equity providers (Investors) – demonstration of ability to generate acceptable profit levels (return on investment) over  time 
   3. Debt providers(Bankers and other financiers)-ability of business  to repay principal and interest and strategy to deal with financial risk
   4. Government and regulatory agencies – Could be used to apply incentives (Duty waivers, subsidy, price support)  or regulation

What an agribusiness plan should address

The agribusiness plan should address the following basic issues :

• Financial - Can the business make a profit
• Marketing - Is there a market? How much can you sell?
• Management - Does the management team have the skill?.

The presentation quality and financial analysis is crucial  if an Agribusiness plan is to be used to raise money from outside  but could be less formal if being used internally 

Basic question Agribusiness plan should answer

• Who are the customers?
• How many are there?
• How do we reach them?
• Why are we in business?
• Do we produce for a commodity or specialty market?
• What is the status of our business (ie start-up, expansion, takeover, etc)?

The Cover Page

    Business Plan

            FOR

BUSINESS NAME/ PURPOSE

Prepared by:
Name:
Address Line 1:
Address Line 2:
Telephone(s):  
E-Mail:
Date:  

• Executive Summary 
• Business Overview
• Marketing Plan 
• Production/Operation Plan 
• Organisational And Management Plan 
• Financial Plan
• Business Risk And Mitigating Factor

 

List of Tables

• Equipment depreciation table
• Sales forecast
• Cost forecast
• Operating expenses
• Profit and loss account
• Cash flow plan
• Sensitivity analysis

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• • This is usually written last and should be a maximum of one page containing the following:
  • The proposed business name
  • Area of Specialization
  • The Target market
  • The Opportunity and Value Proposition
  • Brief description of products
  • How much have you invested into the business (if existing)
  • The start-up or expansion capital estimation
  • How much are you contributing as your equity and how much will you source for a loan?
  • If applying for a loan, what will you use the loan for, and what is your repayment plan (tenor, rate, moratorium period, and other conditions)?
  • The anticipated sales turnover, gross profit, and net profit after tax.
  • What are the risks of the business and how do you intend to mitigate them?

What is the benefit of your business to society?

Description of the business

• The name of our business is
• We are (or will be) located at
• What do you specialize in?
• Mention your target market.

1.2 Vision and Mission Statement

• Vision statement “ the future expectation of the business
• Mission statement “ the purpose of the business

1.3 Business Objective(s) (your short term goals with a specific time of accomplishment)

1. On sales turnover
2. On additional branches
3. On customer base
4. On staff salary
5. On staff strength

1.4  Critical Success Factors of the Business are:

List those factors that will contribute to the success of the business

Current Status of business

For startups;

• What do you have in place?
• What do you want to put in place?
• Equipment, rent, installations, fixings, registration, training, e.t.c
• Proposed commencement date.

For existing business;

• Business profile
• Are you expanding and diversifying?
• What do you have in place?
• What do you want to put in place?

2.1 Description of the products

Name your products and describe them one after the other.

2.2 Opportunity and Value proposition

• Opportunity
• the needs you want to meet
• the gaps you want to fill
• Value proposition
• The difference you are bringing in

2.3 Target market 

Make a list of your target market

2.5 Promotional Strategies

3.1 Description of location and factory

3.2 Raw materials/Consumables needed and supplies

3.2a List of raw materials

3.2b List of consumables

Equipment Depreciation Table

3.4 Production / Service Process and techniques

Write the process of production following step by step approach

3.5 Product/ production costing and capacity details
  Product 1: Cost of……………………… (Volume/Qty) of…………………….

3.6 Pricing Strategy

• What pricing strategies will you adopt and why?

3.7 Record/Stock Control Process

• (a)Methods of Record Keeping to be adopted 
• 3.7(b) Record Keeping documents

3.7b What method of inventory do you want to invent? (FIDO, LIFO, FEFO)

3.7d: Opening Stock

Organizational and Management Plan

4.1  Ownership structure of the business

Form of business ownership

Why did you adopt this

4.2  Profile of the Promoter(s)

The vocational training

The entrepreneurship training

The internship

The exposures

Experience

Academic qualifications

4.3 Details of Employees

• Working conditions – how many days, how many hours per day, resumption time, public holidays

4.4 Details of Salary Schedule

Financial Plan: Gross Margin Analysis  

• Adequate record-keeping is the building block for a good financial plan
• To determine the profitability of an enterprise using gross margin:  This is calculated as follows:
• Output from  Enterprise A - Variable Costs for A = Gross Margin of Enterprise-A
• Output from Enterprise B - Variable Costs for B = Gross Margin of Enterprise B
• Gross Margin of enterprise A + Gross Margin of enterprise B = Total Farm Gross Margin
• Total Farm Gross Margin .- Farm's Fixed Costs = Farm's Profit

F-Step Ltd 

Seun Ogidan, the CEO of F-Step Ltd trained under ENABLE-TAAT established 30 hectares of cassava for stem multiplication and root production and 10ha of maize in Osun State. In April 2019, the Nigerian Agricultural Seed Council certified her company for seeds (cassava stems) distributions to farmers in Nigeria. Nigeria. F-Step has employed 5 full time staff.

Agribusiness Park approach and initiative

Agribusiness Park Approach is one of the business approached used by the compact to create a sort of ‘soft-take’ stage for the businesses. The trained youths are organized into 4-5 persons per cluster, given a common resource or facility to work and establish their businesses. The compact also provide initial operational fund support which is ploughed back after each cycle and strengthen input and market linkage. The project provides technical back-stopping to each clusters and likewise the clusters also serves as mentors to new trainees.

Profiles of Best Performing Improved Cassava Varieties Promoted in Nigeria

1. TME 419: This a popularly known and widely accepted name adapted from its originally released code name. Processors love this variety for its stem properties. Its straight and erect stem allows for ease of mechanization. Also endearing are its high yield and stability of yield as well as low rate of physiological deterioration. Other characteristics include its green petiole, light brown stem, light/cream root, Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) resistance, low cyanide potential, good for starch, flour, garri, and fresh consumption. TME 419 has a yield potential of 36 tons per ha and dray matter content of 40%.
2. Dixon (TMS-IBA980581): The variety Dixon, is named after the renowned breeder, Dr Dixon in honour of his landmark achievements in cassava breeding thus contributing to eradicating hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the years, he has bred many cassava varieties, however, this is his favourite because of its red petiole colour and resilience. Dixon has a yield potential of 35 tons per ha and dray matter content of 35%.

3. Ayaya (CR36-5): Ayaya means "beautiful" in Ibibio, one of Nigeria's several dialects. It is so named because of its beautiful and attractive plant type. Large scale processors like this variety for flour, gari, fufu and pupuru. Ayaya has a yield potential of 35 tons per ha and dray matter content of 40%.

4. Sunshine TMS-IBA070593: The Sun is bright and yellow, so is this variety. It is named Sunshine for its particularly bright yellow colour. Farmers believe that the variety is good for young and elderly people alike who love eating garri but possess certain medical conditions that constrain them from eating it. This is because this particular variety is packed with Vit A which is very healthy for eyesight and other bodily functions. Sunshine has a yield potential of 30 tons per ha and dray matter content of 30%.

5. Fineface (TMS IBA980505): Fineface is known for its exceptional attractive garri appearance. Its garri looks very white and fine. It has longer post harvest deterioration when compared to other varieties. Fineface has a yield potential of 34 tons per ha and dray matter content of 35%.

6. Game Changer ( TMS13F1160P0004): The name Game Changer derives from the massive  yield of this variety at harvest, as farmers believe that cultivating this variety will change their livelihood status by eradicating hunger and poverty because of its yield and food quality. Its leaves are very attractive to sight. It has good root shape and low water content. Game Changer has a yield potential of 38 tons per ha and dray matter content of 44%.

7. Poundable (TMEB693): Poundable derives its name from the poundability of this cassava variety. Farmers often compare it to yam because of its mealy nature. it can be used to make any food products due to its poundability. Farmers often consume this variety boiled and or roasted while on the field before the arrival of other meals. Poundable has a yield potential of 32 tons per ha and dray matter content of 38%.

8. Farmer’s Pride (TMS-IBA961632): Farmer's pride is so called because farmers are proud  of the stability and finesse of this variety. The leaves are very attractive at the early stage and farmers love the height of the variety because it is average thereby, preventing severe lodging as compared to others. Farmer’s Pride has a yield potential of 35 tons per ha and dray matter content of 39%.

9. Baba-70  (TMS-IBA000070): The variety is good for gari and fufu. Baba-70 has a yield potential of 37.5 tons per ha and dray matter content of 38.5%.
10. Obasanjo-2 (TMS13F1343P0022): This variety is named in honor of Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who is a cassava farmer. During his reign, Chief Obasanjo championed the transformation of cassava with emphasis on its commercialization and industrialization. Consequently, cassava production rose from 33 million tons in 1999 to 43 million tons (FAOSTAT). Obasanjo-2 addresses the needs of the commercial sector with its excellent qualities for flour and starch. Obasanjo-2 has a yield potential of 38.7 tons per ha and dray matter content of 40.7%.

11. Hope (NR130124): This variety is good for gari and fufu—both products are highly consumed in Nigeria. Farmers who grow the variety have the hope of food security (Zero hunger). Hope has a yield potential of 40.1 tons per ha and dray matter content of 33.2%.

Manual Weeding

• If using mechanical or hand weeding, farmers are advised to visit their farms 2 weeks after planting to observe the emergence of weeds. As soon as 30% of the weeds in the farm reach the 4– 6 leaf stage, begin to weed.
• Repeat this activity until cassava forms a canopy.
• The disadvantage here is the frequency involved and associated costs.

Pre-Emergence Weed Control 

Possible Focus Points

• What are pre-emergent herbicides
• Types of pre-emergent herbicides, their active ingredients, and relevance to cassava farming
• How pre-emergent herbicides work
• When/how to use pre-emergent herbicides for a cassava farm.
• Pre-emergence herbicides are herbicides that are applied before the weeds emerge.
• Pre-emergence herbicides should be applied immediately after cassava is planted.
• Farmers should note that the efficacy of any pre-emergence depends on good land preparation.
• For example, if perennial weeds especially rhizomatous, tuberous, or tufted weeds are not killed during land preparation, a good pre-emergence herbicide may fail.
• For maximum efficacy, pre-emergence herbicides should be applied on the day after planting or at most two days after planting.
• Examples of preemergence herbicides that can be used in cassava include: Primextra Gold (S-metolachlor + atrazine) at 4 litres per ha, Lagon at 1.25 liters per ha or Vigour (S-metolachlor + terbuthylazine) at 4 liters per ha.

Post-Emergence Weed Control 

Possible Focus Points

• What are post-emergent herbicides
• Types of post-emergent herbicides, their active ingredients, and relevance to cassava farming
• How post-emergent herbicides work
• When/how to use post-emergent herbicides for a cassava farm.
• This is done after applying pre-emergence herbicide.
• A farmer is required to visit the farm weekly starting from 4 weeks after pre-emergence herbicide application.
• As soon as 30% of the weeds in the farm reach the 4–6th leaf stage, they should apply the appropriate post-emergence herbicide as spot treatment using a spray shield.
• If these steps are properly carried out, cassava should form a canopy and there may be no need for additional weeding until harvest.
• Farmers can use any of the registered post-emergence herbicides such as Lifeline at 3 litres per ha. Gallant Super or Fusilade forte may be applied at 3 litres per ha if the field is grass-dominated. Glyphosate can also be applied but with care using a shield.

Weed control methods

• Weeds are among the major constraints to cassava production, and for cassava farmers to be successful, they must control weeds.
• Weed control in cassava can be done manually, mechanically, culturally, or chemically (use of herbicides).
• Manual weed control involves the use of a hand/hoe. Mechanical weed control entails the use of motorized weeders.
• Cultural methods such as the use of cover crops, hand hoe, correct spacing, tillage, and cassava variety also help in the control of weeds.

Weed management by youth: Tope Olabokunde-Nigeria  

Tope is a youth from Nigeria who is one of the beneficiaries under the TAAT Cassvavale chain compact. He has been engaging in production of cassava processing using the six-step cassava weeding management.He is owning the Cassava agro processing factory where he supply inputs for his factory.
He produces 10,000 kari/gari per day to be supplied for consumers in the country. In order to produce these products, the factory needs 40 tons of cassava supply every day.For this, he cultivated 20 ha of land in three day using mechanical farming. Weed was a serious challenge for Tope before he applied the six-step cassava weeding management. Practical demonstration and training was provided by TAAT staff on the six-step cassava management. Initially, Tope used to produce 10 tons per ha to 20 tons per ha after the application of sixsteps cassava management. Since the factory is demanding more inputs, they were engaging out grower farmers to meet the demand of the factor. They are now providing extension services and cassava stems for farmers.

Caution in Pre- and Post-Emergence Herbicide Use

Possible Focus Points

• When and how to apply herbicide in a cassava farm.
• List of active ingredients in pre and post-emergent herbicides.
• Types of selected herbicides for pre-and post-emergence in cassava farming.
• Quantity of herbicides needed per hectare in a cassava farm
• Glyphosate as a post-emergence should be applied under the canopy of cassava with a spray guard fitted to the nozzle, provided the cassava is 8 weeks old or more.
• Care must be taken when using glyphosate.
• Please note that glyphosate can only be applied with a knapsack sprayer as a directed spray.
• It cannot be applied in a cassava field with a tractor-mounted boom sprayer.
• For mechanized large-scale farms, a tractor-drawn motorised rotary weeder is an option

Six Steps to Cassava Weed Management & Best Planting Practices

The Six Steps to Cassava Weed Management & Best Planting Practices is a toolkit comprising a set of recommendations that when followed in combination with improved virus-free planting materials, farmers are able to control weeds and achieve more than  20 tons per ha. The toolkit was developed by the IITA Cassava Weed Management Project and African Cassava Agronomy Initiative and promoted by the Cassava Compact of TAAT.

1. Select a suitable site that is not on a slope, waterlogged, stony or very shallow.
2. If the vegetation is an older fallow with trees, shrubs and broadleaves; and too tall to go over with a sprayer, slash the vegetation and plough.  If the vegetation is a grass fallow with perennial weeds such as Speargrass, Guinea Grass, Siam Weed, Sensitive Plant or Giant Potato; and too tall to go over with a sprayer, slash the vegetation and wait for two weeks to allow regrowth.
3. Apply glyphosate (for example RoundUp Turbo, TouchDown Forte) at label rate to deal with the grass regrowing from the slashed grass fallow. Glyphosate should also be applied on a field if it has little vegetation (less than 1 meter tall) with perennial weeds. Thereafter, wait for 14 days to allow total kill by glyphosate.
4. Tillage operations result in higher cassava yields on productive fields. Ploughing generally increases root yield by at least 5 tonnes per ha. Only invest in ploughing if the revenue expected from 5 tonnes of cassava exceeds the cost of ploughing 1 ha of land. Ridging increases root yield by at least 4 tonnes per ha. Ridge your field if the revenue from 4 tonnes of cassava exceeds the cost of ridging 1 ha of land. Ridging is also recommended if your soil is high in clay content, or you intend to harvest in the dry season, or if weeds are difficult to control.
5. Plant improved and virus-free cassava only when the soil is moist at 1m between rows and 0.8m within rows if your aim is to grow cassava for the root market. If you are growing cassava for the seed (stem) market, plant at 1m X 0.5m.  Thereafter, apply pre-emergence herbicide such as Primextra Gold at 4 litres per ha or Vigor at 4 litres per ha or Lagon at 1.25 litres per ha within 24 hours after planting. Do not apply pre-emergence herbicide on dry soil. Replace cuttings that fail to sprout after 15-21 days.
6. When weeds cover 30 percent of your field and they are at 4-6 leaf stage, apply a post-emergence weed control (for example, post-emergence herbicides, mechanical or manual weeding). In grass-dominated fields or in portions of a field that are grass-dominated, apply Fusilade forte at 3L/ha under cassava canopy. For grass and/ or broad leaf-infested fields, glufosinate ammonium (Lifeline, Slasha Gold, Basta, Facinate) may be applied at label rate. But it is important to use a shield on the sprayer nozzle to avoid glufosinate ammonium touching green parts of cassava, which will result in cassava damage. If cassava is less than 8 weeks old and the field is infested with grass and broadleaf weeds, use manual weeding. Do not apply the same herbicides year in year out, because this may promote the development of resistant weeds.

Types of selected herbicides for pre and post-emergence in cassava farming

• Glyphosate: This herbicide is used for total weed control during pre-planting and as a post-emergence herbicide.
• Glyphosate is sold in the market as Roundup Turbo, Touchdown Forte, Delsate, Sarasate, Glycel, Force up, Clearweed, etc.
• Quantity (Litres per ha) needed per hectare: Read labels for rates.
• Fusilade forte: This is a post-emergence herbicide used to control grasses. It should be combined with a broadleaf post-emergence herbicide for good weed control. Read labels for rates of application
• Primextra Gold (S-Metolachlor + Atrazine): This is a pre-emergence herbicide used for the control of most annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.
• Apply Primextra Gold apply after planting (1–2 days) but before crops and weeds emerge.
• The seedbed (ridges/flat) should be moist and clean.
• Quantity (Litres per ha) needed per hectare: Read labels for rates.
• Lagon (Aclonifen + Isoxaflutole): This is a pre-emergence herbicide for the control of most annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.
• Quantity per ha: 1–1.25 liters
• Apply after planting (1–2 days) but before crops and weeds emerge.
• The seedbed (ridges/flat) should be moist and clean.

• Sprayer calibration
• Calibration is essentially getting your sprayer ready for use.
• It is a very important aspect of any spraying function as it ensures that the pesticide/herbicide is applied at the rate on the product label.
• Application in excess of the recommended rate is prohibited, can damage crops, and is uneconomical.
• On the other hand, continuous application of lower dosage may lead to weed resistance, which is a serious problem

Steps for calibrating a knapsack sprayer 

• Check and ensure that all parts of the sprayer are functioning properly.
• Clean the knapsack sprayer and set the pressure gauge at low (L) for herbicides as marked on top of the diaphragm sprayer tank.
• Use the green, yellow or red flooding police nozzle for band spraying herbicides.
• For broadcast spraying, use the flan fan nozzle.
• Fill the tank with water and pump to a suitable pressure and check for leaks and drips.
• Correct any problems before proceeding with the calibration.
• Calibrate the sprayer in the field at the beginning of the season before actual spraying by following these steps: Using a measuring tape, mark out a rectangular area in your field 10 meters long by 10 meters wide. This is approximately 100 m².
• Fill your sprayer tank with water to the maximum mark.
• Spray the marked area walking at a normal and comfortable pace and using a constant pumping speed.
• After you have sprayed and covered the marked area, calculate the water used by taking the difference in water levels on the spray tank before and after the spraying operation.
• If 3 liters of water were able to spray 100 m, then the delivery rate for 10,000 m will be approximately 300 liters.
• Suppose the knapsack sprayer tank capacity is 20 liters (for example a CP 3 sprayer), then you need to fill the sprayer 15 times (15 sprayer loads) to spray 10,000 m (1 hectare) of the farm.
• That is, you divide 300 liters by 20 liters to get 15.
• Suppose you are using a 20-liter spray tank and the recommended rate for the herbicide is 4 liters per hectare 2 (10,000 m ), divide the 4 liters (4000 milliliters) of herbicides by 15 loads which are equivalent to 267 milliliters per sprayer tank.

Calibration with the Use of  IITA Herbicide Calculator

• Download the IITA Herbicide Calculator from GooglePlayStore.
• Using a measuring tape, mark out a square area in your field 10 meters long by 10 meters wide. This is approximately 100 100m2.
• Fill your sprayer tank with water to the maximum mark. 
• Spray the marked area walking at a normal and comfortable pace and using a constant pumping speed. 
• After you have sprayed and covered the marked area, calculate the water used by taking the difference in water levels on the spray tank before and after the spraying operation. 
• Take your IITA Herbicide Calculator and enter the Dosage of the Herbicide to be sprayed in Liter per Hectare as recommended on the herbicide label
• Enter the Volume of Water dispensed on 10m x 10m plot. To get the Volume of Water sprayed on a 10m x 10m plot: 
• Enter the Volume of Water dispensed from your knapsack spray tank on the 10m x 10m plot.
•  Enter the Capacity of your knapsack spray tank in Liters.
• Press Calculate Volume to get the exact dosage of the herbicide that should be added into your knapsack spray tank before filling the tank with water for spraying.

Caution in Pre and Post Emergence Herbicide Use 

Possible Focus Points

• When and how to apply herbicide in a cassava farm
• List of active ingredients in pre and post-emergent herbicides.
• Types of selected herbicides for pre and post-emergence in cassava farming.
• Quantity of herbicides needed per hectare in a cassava farm
• Glyphosate as a post-emergence should be applied under the canopy of cassava with a spray guard fitted to the nozzle, provided the cassava is 8 weeks old or more.
• Care must be taken when using glyphosate.
• Please note that glyphosate can only be applied with a knapsack sprayer as a directed spray.
• It cannot be applied in a cassava field with a tractor-mounted boom sprayer.
• For mechanized large-scale farms, a tractor-drawn motorized rotary weeder is an opt

Herbicides Application. Sprayers, Spraying Methods, and Steps for Calibrating a Knapsack Sprayer 

Possible Focus Points

• Reading and understanding herbicide labels, signs, and symbols such as NAFDAC registration number, manufacturing date, expiration date, precautionary measures, product active ingredient, percentage concentration, direction for use, note to physician, etc.
• How to prepare knapsack sprayer for use
• Basic principles and steps of calibrating a knapsack sprayer
• Practical knapsack spraying demonstration/activities
• The importance/benefits of calibrating a knapsack sprayer for cassava farm weed control.
• How/methods of cleaning Knapsack sprayer after use

Types of selected herbicides for pre and post emergence in cassava farming.

• Lifeline: Good for the control of broadleaves and grasses. Contains the active ingredient–  Glufosinate ammonia. Application should be targeted and should not touch cassava leaves or green parts of cassava.
•  Glyphosate: This herbicide is best used for total weed control during preplanting and as a post-emergence herbicide. 
• Glyphosate is sold in the market as Roundup Turbo, Touchdown Forte, Delsate, Sarosate, Glycel, Force up, Clearweed, etc.
• Quantity (Litres per ha) needed per hectare: Read labels for rates. 
• Fusilade forte: This is a post-emergence herbicide used to control grasses. It should be combined with a broadleaf post-emergence herbicide for good weed control. Read labels for rates of application. 
• Gallant super: A good postemergence herbicide for the control of grasses. Read labels for rates of application. 

• Primextra Gold (S-Metolachlor + Atrazine): This is a pre-emergence herbicide used for control of most annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. 
• Apply Primextra Gold apply after planting (1–2 days) but before crops and weeds emerge. 
• The seed bed (ridges/flat) should be moist and clean. 
• Quantity (Litres per ha) needed per hectare: Read labels for rates. 
• Lagon (Aclonifen + Isoxaflutole): This is a pre-emergence herbicide for the control of most annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. 
• Quantity per ha: 1–1.25 litres 
• Apply after planting (1–2 days) but before crops and weeds emerge. 
• The seed bed (ridges/flat) should be moist and clean.
• Vigour (S-metolachlor + terbuthylazine). A preemergence herbicide for the control of most annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. 
• Apply after planting (1–2 days) but before crops and weeds emerge. 
• The seed bed (ridges/flat) should be moist and clean.
• Quantity: 4 liters per ha

Presentation of the Package (Varieties, GAPs, Stover quality, Comparative advantages)

Stover Quality/Comparative Advantages

• The dual-purpose sorghum and millet varieties have lower lignin content which makes their stems softer and more palatable and digestible for livestock.
• They have the ecstasy green character until physiological maturity.
• The stem juice is sweet

Demonstration of the Stover chopper machine

• The machine stands alone for operation and can be move from place to another using a cart or by towing.
• It is power by a diesel engine (7-13 hp according to the Model).
• The machine is designed to chop the green stover and crush the dry residues.
• Depending on the Model, the machine has a capacity of 1,000 to 1,500 kg/hr.
• The maintenance of the machine is easy because it is locally fabricated.
• It can be easily operated by individuals, Youth groups (for services providing) or farmer’s organizations.

The equipment comprises three systems:

• 1) A pair of rollers horizontally fixed for admission of stover in the lateral direction;
• 2) A hexagonal shear cutter with knifes which motion is synchronized with that of the pair of rollers;
• 3) A hammer for the final crushing of the chopped stover.
• Plate 1 and 2 shows a crop stalk being fed into a chopping machine through the action of a pair of rollers. The motion of the chopping machine is synchronized with that of the rollers to ensure that the required sizes are cut from the crop stover.
• Action is positive when the motion of the top roller and the chopping disc are anticlockwise and that of the lower roller is in the clockwise direction. The chopped pieces of crop stalks fall into the hammer chamber by gravity.

Performance of the two types of machine

Performance of the two types of machine

Stover Processing and Utilization

• Animals selectively eat leafy parts leaving the thick stems in abundance and yet not utilized properly.
• Farmers practice a simple method of manually cutting stovers and straws into small pieces which is laborious and time-consuming.
• Chopper/crusher machine was introduced to address the key challenges in feed cost, quantity, quality and seasonality and inefficient utilization of crop residues, and stop stubble burning.
• The technology produces small pieces leading to efficient and optimum utilization of crop residues.
• The results showed a reduction in feed wastage and improved options for critical dry and wet season animal feeding.
• The equipment is simple to operate, affordable to the farmers, mobile, and can be transported around easily with the help of a donkey cart/motorbike, and used through farmers’ organizations.
• The use of the chopper can facilitate the intensification of crop-livestock integration, which could serve both cereal and animal productivity in the Sahel as crop residues will be feed for livestock and the manure brought back to the field for soil fertility maintenance

Target Countries and Implementation Mechanisms

• 8 target countries
• Tz, Ke, Ug, DRC, Rw, Bu, Zim, Mw
• Leveraging existing PABRA partnerships (ECABREN, SABRN)
• Bean Corridor Approach in implementation
• Market-driven transformation of rural agriculture that focuses on “bean flow” activities
• HIB technology delivery platforms (steering committees) established
• Development of Country Workplans, defining technologies to be deployed

Type of Intervention Within the Bean Corridor Hubs

Hubs are areas of bean (economic) intensification (Production to consumption).

Catalyzing Partnerships for Scaling of HIBs

Output Targets and Achievements as at June 2020

HIB varieties promoted in target countries

Learning Outcomes

1. By the end of the training the learners will be able to:
2. Recognize all the bean varieties (including HIB varieties) and make a comparison of their nutritional value
3. Articulate important factors that lead to the optimal production of HIB in the region
4. Prepare HIB-based products such as baby porridge, cakes, and pre-cooked beans.
5. Identify gender roles and responsibilities within the High Iron Bean value chain 

Pre-evaluation

• Samples of local beans
• High Iron Beans (HIBs) Varieties
• Sources of more information
• Learning Activity Bundle 1: Identification of the HIB varieties and their respective market classes

• Quality inputs and good land preparation
• Common insect pests
• Common bean diseases
• Sources of more information
• Learning Activity Bundle 3: Production of HIB crop

Threshing                       Storage                         Cleaning

Sample of Local Beans

High Iron Beans (HIBs) Varieties

Sources of more information

• Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
• Ministry of Agriculture – Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme (KCEP)
• Pan-African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA)
• Bio-vision
• Greenlife

Quality inputs and good land preparation

Common insect pests

Common bean diseases

• Modified Live vaccines
• Killed vaccines
• Oral Delivery vaccines
• Spray or Topical vaccines

Preparing Vaccine For Vaccination

• When using vaccines:
• How should you store the vaccine?
• You can use ordinary water to mix vaccine T/F
• You can put the vaccine in your pocket from the market until you get home
• When you mix vaccine you can use it for many days until it finishes T/F.
• When using vaccines:
• Maintain cold chain from storage to use
• Use sterile technique and equipment to withdraw the vaccine
• Follow vaccine manufacturers' guidelines for mixing.
• Never remove the rubber stopper
• Disinfect rubber stopper before piercing
• Use a sterile needle each time
• Clearly mark vials with date, time, and users initials
• Contact your local veterinarian for advice.

Poultry Vaccines Delivery Routes

• How are vaccines used?
• Have you used poultry vaccines before?
• How have you applied it?
• What precautions should you take when administering the oral vaccine.
• Who can use injectable vaccines?
• Requires starving the chicken of water for 2-3 hours before vaccination.

• All chickens are vaccinated at Day old for Mareks disease T/F
• I can buy my DOC anywhere T/F.
• I can vaccinate my chickens any day it is convenient T/F.
• Which poultry vaccine can be administered through the feed?

Can I sell my chickens the next day after vaccination Discuss why or why not?

 

Vaccine Regulation

• Which authority in the country is responsible for controlling vaccine use?
• Can anybody sell poultry vaccines? why or why not?
• Why are vaccines regulated? -  Focus on the impact of wrong use of vaccines in the food chain

• Storage Units
• Diluents
• Handling vaccines

Regulation of Veterinary Vaccines

• OIE at the International level
• Director of Veterinary Services (DVS) in each Country.
• National or Regional Department of Livestock Services.
• Regulates veterinary biologicals
• Such as vaccines, anti-bacterial, endo- and ectoparasites drugs, antisera
• Pure, safe, potent, and effective
• Virus Serum Toxin Act

Types of poultry vaccines used in chicks brooding

• Modified live vaccines (MLV)
• Replicate in the host, shows mild clinical signs
• Killed inactivated vaccines
• All or part of the inactivated pathogen
• Require adjuvant (immune booster)
• Novel vaccines – (Not widely used)
• Gene-deleted vaccines
• Live vectored vaccines
• Plant-derived vaccines
• DNA vaccines

Killed vaccines

• Contain inactivated whole organism or portion of the organism
• Generally combined with an adjuvant (vaccine suspended in special liquid agents)
• Often require more than one dose to be effective

Other Poultry Brooding Tips

Routes

• Oral - vaccine dissolved in water
• Ocular (applied as eye drops)
• Intranasal
• Injection – Sub-cutaneous or Intra-muscular (Use special syringes for chicks)
• Spray/Topical

Routes

• Oral - vaccine dissolved in water
• Ocular (applied as eye drops)
• Intranasal
• Injection – Sub-cutaneous or Intra-muscular (Use special syringes for chicks)
• Spray/Topical

Spray or Topical vaccines

• Diluted in water or diluted and misted, sprayed, or nebulized onto a large group of animals
• Convenient for mass vaccination
• Goal: Vaccinate a sufficient percentage of group

Diluents

• Lyophilized vaccine needs a diluent
• Diluents are not interchangeable
• Always use the diluent provided with the vaccine and lot number
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for reconstituting vaccine
• Do not use tap water or contaminated water to dilute the vaccine.

Handling Vaccines

• Important for maintaining the lives of vaccines.
• Assure efficacy
• Prevents contamination

Poultry: Mother Brooder Units – The Concept

What is a Mother Brooder Unit?

Period of rearing Day-Old Chicks (DOC) for approximately 1-30 days after hatching.    

Common Poultry Diseases during Brooding

• How many currently keep chickens?
• Who has lost chickens due to diseases?
• What signs did they observe, what happened, what lessons did they learn?
• Do they know the names of any of these diseases?

Additional information about poultry disease is found in the accompanying Manual to the presentation.

Bridging the hungry season

• Planting sweet potato at the start of the rains enables households to harvest roots early in the season during what is typically the hungry period when other crops are not yet mature, and when food stocks are typically empty.
• Most cereal crops take ≥ 4 months to mature, while piecemeal harvesting of sweet potato can start from just 2 ½ months after planting. The use of Triple S allows households to harvest sweet potato ~3 months earlier than normal.

Optimizing sweet potato yields, availability, and plant vigor

• Planting on time (at the start of the rains) helps optimize sweet potato yields and extends the sweet potato piecemeal harvesting period, providing extra food security and diversity. Sweetpotato vines can be kept in swampy areas during the dry season but weevils and viruses can infect it and reduce the vigor of the ensuing crop, while Triple S helps farmers produce clean planting materials and retain plant vigor.

4. Limited access to swampland or irrigated fields

• Most farming households struggle to access swampy, wet, and irrigated land where they can keep sweet potato planting materials alive during the dry season (often > 5 months long).
• Triple S storage of roots in the sand over the dry season removes this need, and only requires farmers to access small amounts of water to irrigate the planted out roots for 6-8 weeks before the rains start.

5. Costly and/or difficult-to-access inputs

• Sweetpotato is a low cash-input crop that does not require expensive fertilizers. However, a lack of planting materials often leads to farmers having to purchase them.
• Triple S enables farmers to keep healthy sweet potato roots from their own harvest, stored in sand from their own yards, in an old basin making it a viable option for resource-poor and remote households.

6. Limited income opportunities

• The price of sweet potato roots is high early in the season as very little other food is available then, this enables Triple S farmers to sell some of the early roots they produce at high prices and earn a good income.

8. Increasingly unpredictable climatic patterns

• Triple S use provides families with timely and climate-resilient access to sweet potato planting materials. This fast-maturing crop is well-known for its relative drought tolerance and role as a crucial and nutritious food source in years where drought or long dry spells lead to the failure of other staples

Healthy root selection and loading of the Triple S container

• Carefully harvest all roots from the marked healthy plants.
• To help to cure, place the roots in the shade of a tree, cover with a canvas, not plastic, do not wash roots.
• Carefully carry the roots back to the homestead
• Prepare the cool dry coarse sand and the Triple S container
• Load the roots and sand in layers including the  final layer of sand
• Find an ideal storage location for the Triple S container

Careful harvesting of roots for Triple S and deciding which roots to use 

• As the Triple S roots will be stored in the sand for several months, it is vital that only healthy, undamaged roots are used to set up the Triple S system.
• These roots should be:
• a. Harvested from healthy, disease-free plants.
• b. Mature, cracking of the soil above the roots indicates maturity and root bulking stage has been reached, together with yellowing and loss of the plant’s lower leaves.
• c. Small to medium-sized: if roots are too small and thin they will dry out during storage and produce poor quality vines; if roots are large too few will fit in the Triple S basin. Triple S roots should be small to medium-sized, and at least as thick as the handle of a hoe. In areas with a long dry season (>7months), farmers prefer to use medium to large-sized roots.
• d. Weevil-free, any roots that show any signs of weevil damage should not be used in Triple S. Even tiny pinprick sized holes can contain weevil eggs that will develop into larvae and feed within the root during root storage and then emerge as adults and feed on other nearby roots, and destroy next season’s sweet potato planting materials.
• e. Rot-free, any roots that show any signs of discoloration or soft rots should not be used in Triple S, as these can grow and spread during root storage and destroy next season’s sweet potato planting materials.
• f. Undamaged, as wounds and breakages provide easy entry points for rot causing pathogens and leading to rapid drying out of roots and poor quality planting materials

Root bed preparation 

• The Triple S roots should be planted out into a pre-prepared root bed 6-8 weeks before the rains are expected to start.
• Once planted, the roots will need regular watering so they can produce sufficient vines to cut and use as planting materials for the farmer to plant their field with as soon as the rains start (The roots should be watered at the time of planting, and then twice per week for 2 weeks. After this, the watering should be reduced to just once per week, until the rains are thought to be just 1 to 2 weeks away from arriving, and then watering should stop to help harden and prepare the vines for cutting and planting out.

Preparing your root bed and understanding why Triple S helps 

• Participants to unload Triple S and carefully carry the roots to the nearby field where they will prepare the root bed.
• Discuss what size seed root bed the participants need to prepare.
• Carry out the preparation of part of the root bed.
• Plant out about 10 roots, explaining spacing, positioning of roots, and the need for depression above or between the roots.
• Planting out requirement time is 6 to 8 weeks before rains are expected.
• Discuss watering requirements and show a watering technique (watering every 3 to 4 days)

Equiments and Materials needed for preparing and loading the Triple S container

1. About 40 healthy, mature, undamaged, small-to-medium-sized sweet potato roots. Note: some farmers prefer to use large basins that can hold 100 roots in 3 layers.
2. Clean container large enough to hold about 40 sweet potato roots plus a 10cm layer of sand on top (old plastic washing basins or cooking pans are typically used).
3. Two pages of a newspaper, for lining the basin to help absorb any moisture. 4. About 1 bucket-full of cool, dry, relatively coarse sand.
4. A forked hoe.
5. A watering can.
6. Digging sticks

Unloading the Triple S Container 

• Once the root bed has been prepared, the roots in the Triple S basin should be unloaded and each of them checked to ensure they are not being damaged by weevils, are not rotting, and that none of the sprouts on them look yellow or weak, as this can be a sign of virus infection.
• Any roots suspected of having weevil, virus, or rotting problems should be destroyed and not be planted out in the root bed.
• Ideally, only the well-sprouted roots should be planted out, as they develop vines more quickly

Preparing and loading the Triple S container

• 1. Gather all the necessary equipment together in a shady spot
• 2. Place the newspaper inside the basin, to act as an absorbent layer across the bottom and sides of the basin
• 3. Add a layer of cool, dry, coarse sand about 2-3 cm deep

• 4. Then add a layer of undamaged, healthy roots. Position the roots so that none of them are touching each other, and so that they are not touching the edge or base of the container
• 5. Cover the roots with a layer of cool, dry, coarse sand
• 6. Add another layer of roots, again making sure they do not touch each other or the edge of the basin. Cover them with a layer of cool, dry, coarse sand.

• 7. If there is space in the basin, add a third layer of roots. Again make sure they do not touch each other or the edge of the basin
• 8. Finish with a deep layer of sand (~10 cm thick) to help prevent rodent or weevil damage and sprouting

Planting out Triple S roots 

• The Triple S roots are typically planted out in the root bed at a spacing of 60 cm x 60 cm (~2 ft x 2 ft).
• Each root should be planted at a depth that ensures there will be a 5 - 10cm deep covering layer of soil between the root and the soil surface.
• This will mean the sprouts on the roots will be buried beneath the soil, the sprouts should be facing upwards.
• A small depression should be formed above each root to help conserve soil moisture.
• A small stick can be placed next to each root at planting to help the farmer target their watering.

Storing the Triple S container and keeping the Triple S safe during storage 

• Two people may need to carry the loaded Triple S basin into its cool, dark, storage location.
• A thatched hut, or a secure shady cool area under a raised granary or structure, or space inside the home are often used.
• The Triple S must be kept in a protected place. Care should be taken to ensure that:
• a. Chickens do not dig or nest in the sand at the top of the Triple S ·
• b. It will not get rained on, or too hot.
• c. The basin does not get tightly covered.
• d. The whole household is aware of the Triple S basin and knows that it contains next year’s food security so should not be tampered with or eaten.

What Does Triple S Technology involve?

• Triple S involves a farmer selecting healthy undamaged sweet potato roots at harvest time prior to the beginning of the prolonged dry season, and storing them in layers of dry sand in an old basin lined with a piece of newspaper for the duration of the dry season. The stored roots need to be inspected monthly, and then 6-8 weeks before the rains start they are planted out into a root bed and watered twice a week.

De-sprouting where the dry season is > 4 months 

• Usually, during storage, the roots in the Triple S container will start to grow small sprouts.
• These sprouts typically start to appear just at one end/tip of the root, if they are broken off new sprouts may then start to grow from the sides of the root as well as from its ends.
• These extra side sprouts can help produce larger amounts of planting materials when the roots are planted out.
• As the sprouts grow they deplete the nutrients stored in the root, mainly the carbohydrates, but also the water.
• Thus where dry seasons are more than 4 months, all the sprouts should be gently broken off by hand before then re-loading all the roots carefully into the Triple S container with a fresh layer of newspaper, and using sand to ensure none of the roots are touching each other or the edge of the container, and that there is a 10cm thick top layer of sand.

TRIPLE S RECORD KEEPING 

• The farmer should keep a note of how many roots they put into their Triple S container/s, of which variety, and on what date.
• These records can be updated during the regular monitoring to keep track of whether any roots had to be discarded during the Triple S, and if so, how many and due to what problems.
• Records should also be kept on the date of any de-sprouting done, the sprouting rates, and the date and number of roots planted out, the number of planting materials obtained, and on which dates.

TRIPLE S CALCULATION (WITH WATERING INCLUDED)

Activity Two
A Case Story: Group Discussion Queries

• What were the limitations of the IP before the installation of the new system?
• Which aspects change with the introduction of the new technology?
• How can rice farmers be made aware and sensitized about the improved parboiling technology?

Some of the possibilities include

• The women group used local practices – home use cooking utensils
• The women group used a traditional stove that consumes a lot of firewood and produces excessive smoke
• The women group had no knowledge of improved parboiling technology
• There should be a massive sensitization campaign to draw the attention of the general public on the negative effects of the traditional par-boiling system and to adopt the improved system
• The Agricultural Extension Agents, Food and Drugs and Standard Authorities, Health workers, and Environmental Protection Agencies should be alerted on the widespread use of traditional parboiling technology and the negative effect on women incomes, health, and the environment
• These workers should be asking questions concerning the traditional parboiling system and its effects on the women who practice it.

INFORMATION EMPHASIS

The administration is controlled by the Food and Drugs and Standard Authorities, Health workers, and Environmental Protection Agencies

Activity Two
Output Evaluation

2.1.2 Output Evaluation: What have the learners learned? Which aspect did they enjoy the most? What would they like to see improved?

Are there any gender differences in the exposure to the information, practices, knowledge?

NB: The facilitator uses the pre-evaluation form (Table 1) so as to compare the responses to all questions before and after the session. If the second evaluation show knowledge has been acquired the next section is taught, otherwise, some aspects may be repeated.

2.2 The materials required for the fabrication, establishment, and construction of the GEM Parboiling System

Activity Two
Rationale, Design, and the Components of the GEM Parboiling System

INFORMATION EMPHASIS

The administration is controlled by the Food and Drugs and Standard Authorities, Health workers, and Environmental Protection Agencies

2.1.2 Output Evaluation: What have the learners learned? Which aspect did they enjoy the most? What would they like to see improved?

Are there any gender differences in the exposure to the information, practices, knowledge?

 NB: The facilitator uses the pre-evaluation form (Table 1) so as to compare the responses to all questions before and after the session. If the second evaluation show knowledge has been acquired the next section is taught, otherwise, some aspects may be repeated.

2.2 The materials required for the fabrication, establishment, and construction of the GEM Parboiling System

2.2.1 Learning Activity Bundle 2

Learning Outcomes

•  
• By the end of this module, participants will be able to:
• Describe the rationale, design, and components of the GEM Parboiling System
• Identify the materials required for the fabrication, establishment, and construction of the GEM Parboiling System
• Apply the principles to operate a GEM Parboiling system, depending on the country regulations
• Point out the importance of widespread adoption of the GEM Parboiling System including its impact on consumer acceptability, market access and income generation

Content

• At the end of each Learning Activity Bundle, there is a need to implement an output evaluation using an electronic or print form from the annex.

Activity One
Establish the Participants Level of Knowledge and Experience

2.1 Pre-evaluation of learners (with feedback)

2.1.1 Learning Activity Bundle 1

Activity One: In this activity, the facilitator seeks to establish the participant's level of knowledge and experience of the module topic. (20 minutes).

For this pre-evaluation section, please summarise the context of the participants – some are new, others have experience, both positive and negative.

FACILITATION METHOD(S)

• PPT Presentation
• Group discussion
• Video  (Video for an introduction)
• Sharing Experience

Activity Process and Procedure

Before the training session, the facilitator will establish some facts about the audience to enable sharing of experiences and peer learning within the group.

The facilitator will also carry out a gender analysis using Table 1. for the identification of gender-based disparities and possible constraints in order to identify potential actions to address the constraints.

 Start by pairing up the participants and get them to ask each other a series of questions (through pre-prepared slides with illustrative photos) such as whether they remembered the procedures for processing other cereals such as maize, sorghum, and millet. What was their experience? Why was it important? What are the parallels with rice processing?

• A Case Story: Moving From Traditional to Improved System
• A Case Story: Group Discussion Queries
• Output Evaluation
• Activity Two - Rationale, Design, and the Components of the GEM Parboiling System

Activity Three
Assembling GEM Parboiling Systems

2.2.1 Learning Activity Bundle 2

Assembling GEM Parboiling Systems (PPT Slides 19-23; 20 minutes)

• Methods of Facilitation
• PPT presentation
• Demonstration/Video
• Group discussion
• Sharing Experience
• Activity Process and Procedure
• Recap of previous session and introduction to GEM Parboiling system
• Facilitator to get the learners to share knowledge about their different experiences with rice milling

The following questions can stimulate discussion.

• How many currently process rice for the market?
• Who has lost revenue due to the poor quality of the milled parboiled rice?
• What signs did they observe in the rice, what happened, what lessons did they learn?
• What specific unwanted things did the buyers see in the processed milled rice?

Demonstration on assembling of GEM Parboiling system

• The facilitator takes the participants through a model of the parboiling system asking them to name the various parts and what materials they are made of
• Learners attempt to assemble the equipment in groups with explanations to the other participants
• The facilitator points out any precautions and safety measures that need to be taken as well as provides participants with maintenance tips.

2.2.2 Output Evaluation:

What have the learners learned? Which aspect did they enjoy the most? What would they like to see improved?

Are there any gender differences in the exposure to the information? Practices? Knowledge?

2.3. The principles of operating a GEM Parboiling system(PPT slides 12-18)

2.3.1 Learning Activity Bundle 3

Activity Four
Types of processing and parboiling

Activity Four: Types of processing and parboiling (20 minutes)

Methods of Facilitation

• PPT presentation
• Demonstration/Video
• Group discussion
• Sharing Experience

Activity Process and procedure

• The facilitator carries out interactive learning on types of rice processing/parboiling with learners identifying them from their experiences in pictures, charts, and PowerPoint slides.
• The learners should discuss their understanding of rice processing/parboiling and milling by randomly answering the following questions
• What are the main rice processing/parboiling and milling on the rice market value?
• What is the difference between parboiling and processing?
• Why are early precautions to obtain the best quality of milled rice important
• How does rice parboiling/processing work

Activity Five
Various parboiling technologies and systems

Activity Five:  Various parboiling technologies and systems (PPT Slides 28-29) (30 minutes)

Methods of Facilitation

• PPT presentation
• Role-Playing
• Group discussion
• Sharing Experience

Activity Process and procedure

The facilitator should re-emphasize the importance of rice processing and learn the procedures of processing, appropriate timings through the demonstration video using the link below.

Ask a few prompting questions about what aspects may be the importance of improved rice parboiling and processing prior to viewing the video (so they are looking for these evidence in the video) as follows:

• How is parboiling technology used?
• Have you ever used parboiling technology before?
• How have you used it? Describe
• What precautions should you take when parboiling?
• Who can use the improved parboiling technology?
• Videos on improved rice parboiling and processing
• New video on AfricaRice GEM Rice Parboiling Technology (www.researchgate.net)
• Rice Innovation Platform. – GEM Parboiling Technology
• Cash in with Parboiled rice (africarice.org> germ-rice-parboil….)

Activity Six
Carrying out the parboiling practices

Activity Six: Carrying out the parboiling practices 

• Methods of Facilitation
• PPT presentation
• Demonstration/Video
• Group discussion
• Sharing Experience

Activity Process and procedure

VIDEO WATCHING SESSION (Facilitator to plan in advance for suitable enabling equipment)

• For the facilitator, following the video, present queries to emphasize and cement the information in it including:
• Are there any differences in what they practice and what they saw in the video?
• What are some of the valid reasons for differences in what is practiced and what they saw in the video?
• What are the similarities in practices that they have watched and those in their local context?
• Do these similarities validate the value of the video (which they can also have on their phones and other electronic equipment) as a learning instrument?

PPT PRESENTATION SESSION

Using slides 11 to 14 in the slide deck, facilitate the following queries:

DISCUSSION QUERIES

• What is the importance of parboiling in rice processing?
• When should you carry out the parboiling practice?
• CHOICES: (a)Anytime, (b) During drying (c) On specific days or time after harvesting?

NB: Use the opportunity to emphasize that parboiling is not advisable during wet periods or when the paddy is wet. Contact your local food technology institution or the Ministry responsible for Agriculture for advice on rice parboiling and processing.

Additional Hints

• Get your paddy from a good source (avoid mixture of varieties)
• Contact the nearest office of the Ministry of Agriculture or a food technology institution

Activity Seven
Impact of GEM Parboiling and Processing Technologies

2.3.2 Output Evaluation: What have the learners learned? Which aspect did they enjoy the most? What would they like to see improved?

Are there any gender differences in the exposure to the information? Practices? Knowledge?

2.4. Impact of rice processing on consumer acceptability, market access, and income generation

2.4.1 Learning Activity Bundle 4

Activity Seven: Impact of GEM Parboiling and processing technologies. (PPT Slide 11-14) (20 minutes)

• Methods of Facilitation
• PPT presentation
• Role-Playing
• Group discussion
• Sharing Experience

Activity Process and procedure

The facilitator should use slides 11 to 14, to provide a case scenario in which a woman processing group bought 10 tons of paddy rice and lost 10%, 20% and 30% of expected income from processed rice due to poor parboiling technology

Encourage participants to discuss what might have happened.

DISCUSSION topic examples:

• The financial impact of a poor parboiling system
• How to calculate losses in terms of finance given the quality of the parboiled rice
• A practical example of calculation

2.4.2 Output Evaluation

• What have the learners learned? Which aspect did they enjoy the most? What would they like to see improved?
• Are there any gender differences in the exposure to the information, practices, knowledge

2.5 Outcome evaluation (with feedback):

Facilitator to provide evaluation questions based on learning outcomes using open-ended and/or close-ended questions (see evaluation form in annex).

(A set of Likert scale against statements on the improvement e.g. of the knowledge of the participant; positive change in attitude towards some practices; increased motivation to carry out a practice or confidence to implement a practice. The scale will strongly disagree to strongly agree.)

(If you want to carry out a Quiz, then prepare the quiz as a handout and then prepare answers for learners to check their performance)

Mudding and Levelling of land in preparation of UDP application

• Tillage
• Tillage allows deep loosening of the soil, which facilitates root development. 
• Lumps must be broken to improve transplanting conditions, retention of water (irrigation) and deep placement of supergranules. 
• Proper levelling of the field allows for consistent management of the water sheet in the field (without water excess in places), to better control weeds, reduce water and fertilizer losses through percolation and limit the rise of salts from groundwater by the capillarity in salty areas. 
• Combined, these measures create suitable conditions for good seed emergence. 
• USG should be applied on loose soil to facilitate deep placement of the supergranules.

Transplanting

• Rice seedlings are raised at high density in a nursery and later transplanted in the field when the seedlings are vigorous enough.
• It is recommended to transplant the seedlings at 15 to 21 days old in the wintering period. In off-season cropping conditions, they should be transplanted at 21 to 30 days because of delayed growth due to cold temperatures. 
• Transplanting seedlings older than 30 days should be avoided because the recovery will be difficult and tillering low, causing significant reduction in yields. 
• Transplanting in rows is highly recommended for UDP use as it allows better management of the placement and spatial distribution of the granules.

• Transplanting in rows also offers the possibility of using a rotary hoe (cono weeder) for weeding and helps control stocking density (number of plants per m2). 
• Movements within the field for maintenance activities (hand weeding, fertilizer application, crop protection treatments) are then facilitated. 
• Random transplanting is not an appropriate option for UDP technology. 
• Its major disadvantages are high population density, random placement of granules and the inability to use rotary hoe.

Placement of supergranules

• For optimal performance, placement of supergranules is done as follows.
• Apply urea supergranules 7 to 10 days after transplanting 
• Place USG at 7 to 10 cm deep 
• Use one USG for four plants by placing the supergranule in the middle of four rice hills corresponding to a USG application rate of 113 kg/ha using 1.8 g super granules and 169 kg/ha with 2.7 g super granules
• Deep placement of USG will take place between the inter-rows every 40 cm, skipping every other inter-row. 
• However, the action radius of urea granules (nitrogen diffusion) varies depending on the type of soil. It is greater in clayey soils than in sandy soils. 
• If the distance between plant stands is greater than 40 cm, one urea supergranule must be placed for each plant stand (rice) or plant (other crops) to ensure adequate plant nutrition.

Diagrammatic representation of placement of urea supergranules in a rice field

Furrow irrigated raised bed

Bed planting of wheat using raised bed machine

The Innovation Platform  Approach

• The TAAT wheat project has employed the Innovation Platform (IP) approach as a guiding principle in its improved technology dissemination and diffusion activities.
• The IP is a multi-stakeholders integration established to exchange knowledge and ideas, share resources, make synergy, and take action to solve common problems in order to bring about the desired change, i.e., wheat transformation for self-sufficiency.
• Functionally, IPs operate at two levels: strategic and operational.
• The strategic IP is providing overall guidance on critical issues pertaining to the activities at federal and regional government levels, while operational IP is set at the grassroots to facilitate and operate all planned activities at district and local government levels.
• Within the IP sites, improved packages of wheat technologies have been disseminated to small-scale farmers along the value chains.

Wheat Growth Stages

• There are several wheat growth stages that are important for farmers to recognize for optimal crop management and to maximize grain yield and profitability.
• There are several scales that describe the growth and development of wheat and the two most commonly used scales are the Feekes scale and the Zadoks scale.
• Wheat growth can be broadly divided into several different stages which include germination/emergence, tillering, stem elongation, boot, heading/flowering, and grain-fill/ripening.
• Management decisions in wheat production are growth stage-dependent.
• Applying fertilizers, herbicides, and fungicides is most effective and profitable when applied at specific times during wheat development.
• If certain chemicals are applied at the wrong growth stage, they may be ineffective or even damage the crop. Understanding how to correctly identify wheat growth stages can help farmers make timely and profitable management decisions.

2. Use of Certified Seeds

• Utilizing good quality wheat seed for planting is the basis for obtaining excellent germination and stand establishment.
• Good quality seed is true to variety, free of other crop seeds, weeds, foreign material, disease, and has plump, dense kernels of high germination.
• Certified seed should have at least 97% purity and 85% germination.
• It is important to note that certified quality seed gives more yield than normal seed.
• When the quality seed is sown, a quality product is harvested that can be easily traded in the market.

3: Sowing Time

• Appropriate sowing time of crops could result in higher economic yield without involving extra cost as it helps varieties to express their full growth potential.
• Early planting produces a greater number of spikes, heavier grains, and the highest grain yield while late planting affected these characters adversely.
• Early sown crops mature earlier than those sown later

4. SOWING DEPTH

• Wheat production is greatly affected by sowing depth.
• Sowing depth significantly influenced the seedling emergence, crop stand establishment, and vigor index.
• Sowing depth also plays a crucial role to ensure plants develop sufficient anchorage to minimize the effects of lodging.
• Shallow sowing reduces the capacity of the wheat plants to develop adequate secondary root structures and anchor points and predisposes the crop to lodge.
• The proper depth of sowing should provide good contact between wheat seed and soil; allow the seed to take up water for germination, permit the seedling to reach the surface before depleting its food reserves while protecting the seed from desiccation or birds.
• Thus, the suitable depth of sowing for wheat is 4 cm to profuse tillering and strong crown root development.
• Deep sowing delays emergence, resulting in weaker seedlings and poor tillering capacity, and low yield.

5. Row Spacing

• Row spacing can exhibit substantial effects on the growth, yield, and yield-related attributes of wheat.
• Proper spacing can help to optimize tillering capacity and improve the yield components of wheat.
• Optimum row spacing is important not only for higher grain yield but also for reducing lodging.
• Wider row spacing is vital for maximizing light interception, penetration, distribution in crop canopy, and allowing for thicker stems and stronger anchorage of the crowns.

6. Sowing Method

• The selection of a suitable sowing method for wheat plays an important role in the placement of seed at proper depth which ensures better emergence and good subsequent crop growth.
• There are two options of wheat sowing methods such as drill and broadcast.
• Drill sowing is the recommended method because of its uniform seed distribution at the desired depth, which usually results in higher germination, uniform stands, and higher grain yield.
• Drilling has an advantage over broadcasting, as it helps in cultural operations, mechanized weed control, herbicides application and requires less seed and facilitates rouging and field inspection.

7. Seed Rate

• Seed rate is one of the most important agronomic factors which need great emphasis for maximum wheat yield. The optimum seed rate is most important for the maximum yield of wheat.
• The optimum seed rates for wheat vary with variety, location, and method of planting.
• If more seed rate is used, plant population will be more and there will be competition among plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight resulting in low quality and low yield.
• If less seed rate is used yield will be less due to the lesser number of plants per unit area.
• With lower seeding rates the plants will tiller more than with higher seeding rates. 

2. Irrigation scheduling

• Irrigation scheduling is the process of determining when to irrigate and how much water to apply per irrigation event.
• Irrigation scheduling plays a key role in increasing crop production and controlling soil salinity in arid and semi-arid areas.
• Inappropriate irrigation scheduling could lead to soil salinization, low water, and crop productivity.
• Following proper irrigation scheduling crop stress, more frequent or excess irrigation must be avoided.
• Stressing the crop at any stage of development reduces yield. This yield loss cannot be recovered by irrigating at a later time.
• In order to avoid crop water stress, do not allow soil water to fall below 60% of plant available water, i.e., refill point or threshold level.
• Once below 60% of plant available water capacity, the crop uses more energy in extracting the remaining soil water.

 3. Irrigation Method

• This method requires proper design of irrigation area concerning size, slope, and levelness of the field for unrestricted irrigation water movement in the soil using gravity.
• It also requires knowledge about soil type or characteristics such as texture, water intake rate, and water holding capacity.
• The capital cost for field leveling and construction of reservoir might be expensive but the operational costs are low.
• There are three surface irrigation systems namely basin irrigation, border irrigation, and furrow irrigation.

b) Galma Fadama Cooperative Union (GFCU)-Nigeria

Galma Fadama Cooperative Union (GFCU) which is part of the Galma IP in Nigeria was established with about 4,445 farmers and producing wheat as double cropping beside rice and vegetables. The association produced 278 tons of seed with productivity 4.8 t/ha. From the total production of heat tolerant improved wheat, the association fetched US$ 38,674 (1.4 million ETB) and currently linked with Prima Food Processing PLC. of 3.5 t/ha. From the total sale of the product, the cooperative gained N 24,000,000 gross revenue and linked with Nigerian Flour Mills Association and diversified crops and agri-business.

c) Large-scale bulking of wheat seed by SSTA-Sudan

Sudan Seed Trade Association (SSTA) was established in 2002 and formed the main pillar of the PPP within the TAAT Wheat Compact and participates strongly in the development and commercialization of the Sudan seed industry with the production of more than 50,000 tons of wheat seed in Sudan in 2018/19. Today, the country produces enough seed for the entire area and even has excess for sharing with partner countries in Africa. Currently, 5000 tons of certified seed are being prepared by the members of SSTA to be sent to Nigeria as it intends to expand its area massively

d) Babahu JIGi Community-based Seed Production-Mali

In Mali, the heat tolerant and high yielding wheat varieties introduced by TAAT Wheat Compact in 2 IP sites by selecting and providing training of volunteer seed producers through Farmers’ Field School (FFS). Based on the agreement between seed producers and the IP, producers agree to donate 60% of their production in order to cover costs of inputs and the IP agreed to buy the remaining 40% at the price of 400 FCFA/kg (0.75 $/kg). Total benefits earned from the seed produced in the two years (2019) and (2020) was USD $311,310 (FCFA 17255000) and USD $311,310 (FCFA 172 550 000), respectively.

Hamidou Traore from N’Débougou, IP appreciated the opportunity which allow him to access seed of promising wheat varieties and training on improved cropping techniques and get extra money to afford his family expense.