Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 5.1 Essentially traditional management practices/regimes in PLEC demonstration
sites in Ghana
Practices/regimes
Major advantages
Minimal tillage and controlled use of fire
Minimal disturbance of soil and biota
for vegetation clearance
Mixed cropping, crop rotations,
Maximize soil nutrient usage, maintain
and mixed farming
crop biodiversity, spread risk of
complete crop loss, enhance a
diversity of food types and nutrition,
favour soil regeneration
Traditional agroforestry, cultivating crops
Conserve trees; regenerates soil fertility
among trees left
in situ
through biomass litter. Some trees
add to productive capacity of soil
by nitrogen fixation
Proka
, a no-burn farming practice that
Maintain soil fertility by conserving and
involves mulching by leaving slashed
stimulating microbes, and by humus
vegetation to decompose
in situ
addition of decomposing vegetation;
conserves plant propagates including
those in the soil
Bush fallow/land rotation
A means of regenerating soil fertility
and conserving plants in the wild
Usage of household refuse and manure in
Sustains soil productivity
home gardens and compound farms
Use of
nyabatso
,
Newbouldia laevis,
as
The basically vertical rooting system of
live-stake for yams
nyabatso
favours expansion of yam
tubers, while the canopy provides
shade and the leaf litter mulch and
humus. It is thought that
nyabatso
fixes nitrogen
Staggered harvesting of crops
Ensures food availability over the
long haul
Storage of crops, notably yams,
in situ
in
Enhances food security and secures
the soil for future harvesting
seed stock
Conservation of forest in the backyard
Conserves forest species, source of
medicinal plants at short notice,
favours apiculture, snail farming, and
shade-loving crops such as yams
Source: PLEC fieldwork since 1994
the processing of cassava into flour for bread and pastries by PLEC female
farmers (Gyasi, 2001).
The associations of PLEC farmers that facilitate these activities do so by serv-
ing as a medium for:
•
farmer-scientist interactions and collaborative work
•
farmer-to-farmer interactions, including exchange of knowledge and germplasm
