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General Technical Documents

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  1. Wicking Bed / 100 Fold Garden
    This document was provided by Lance Edwards as an outline of the process of building a 100 Fold Vegetable Garden using Foundation for Farming principles. He includes a description of wicking bed technology by Colin Austin The irrigator’s dilemma If the irrigator applies frequent but shallow...



  2. Problem: Damping Off
    Compiled by Gabe LePage, ECHO Florida Intern, 2018 Causes: Soil Borne Pathogens Seed Borne Pathogens Factors: Excessive Soil Moisture Excessive Overhead Misting Lower soil temperatures before emergence Higher soil temperatures after emergence



  3. Building the Bank
    A community seed bank can compare favourably with its High-Tech cousin.





  4. Strengthening Informal Indigenous Seed Systems in Southeast Asia
    With support from USAID’s Horticulture Collaborative Research Support Program (Hort CRSP), Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization’s Asia Impact Center (ECHO Asia), Maejo University, Thailand, and the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) initiated efforts in 2010 to begin strengthening...



  5. Creating Nursery Potting Mix
    An ECHO developed resource.
49 more General Technical Documents

ECHO Asia Seed Fact Sheets

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  1. Phaseolus vulgaris
    General description and special characteristics – An annual legume, the common bean includes bushy varieties (bush beans) as well as vining types (pole beans) that may reach about 2 m (6.6 ft.) in height. Certain varieties of common bean are grown for their pods and seeds, which are cooked and...



  2. Pachyrhizus erosus
    General description and special characteristics – A leguminous, tuber-producing, annual vine. Tubers are eaten raw and remain crunchy when cooked. Yam bean can be used as a cover crop or trellised. The tuber is high in carbohydrates but is otherwise low in nutritional value. Leaves and seeds...



  3. Moringa oleifera
    General description and special characteristics – The moringa tree is a drought resistant, fast growing, deciduous tree or shrub with an average height of 12 meters (39.4 ft) at maturity. It is also known as the horseradish tree and is native to northwestern India. Moringa is widely grown,...



  4. Momordica cochinchinensis
    General description and special characteristics – Gac is a large, climbing, perennial vine that can grow up to 20 feet, with 3-5 lobed dark green leaves. The fruit is ovate, 4-5 inches long, with small spines. The fruit is green until ripe, when it turns bright orange or red. When the fruit is...



  5. Momordica charantia
    General description and special characteristics – A slender annual climbing to 3.0 -3.7 m (10-12 ft) tall with edible fruits and young vines that may be prepared in a variety of ways. The fruits are pear-shaped or oblong, growing to 10-15cm (4-6 in) long.
54 more ECHO Asia Seed Fact Sheets

ECHO Asia Note Articles

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  1. Micro-Hydro in Myanmar and Thailand
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #3 Rugged northeastern Myanmar is home to the Lahu, Shan, Akha, Palaung and various other ethnic groups. With few paved roads and only a small percentage of the Shan State's population connected to the electrical grid, infrastructure serving the locals is still...





  2. Build Your Own Seed Germination Cabinet for Testing Seed Viability
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #8 Editor: Abram serves as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow andInstructor with the International Sustainable DevelopmentStudies Institute in Chiang Mai. He also assists the ECHO AsiaRegional Office as a technical advisor. Introduction and Background Saving your...





  3. Gardening without Digging
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #6 One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve and build soilfertility in any gardening situation is to use a method known as sheetmulching. Thick layers of mulch are placed directly on the soil,simulating the thick leaf litter and humus found in...





  4. SRI Practical and AV Material Webpage
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #2 With regard to SRI, the previously mentioned "SRI Homepage/System of Rice Intensification", a joint collaboration of Association Tefy Saina and CIIFAD, offers a wealth of SRI-related material, particularly on its "SRI Practical and AV Material" page . The...





  5. Strengthening Informal Indigenous Seed Systems in Southeast Asia
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #12 In 2010 the ECHO Asia Impact C enter, along with lead partner, Pennsylvania State University, and Maejo University, was awarded a CRSP Horticulture Exploratory Project grant with major support from USAID. Entitled, "Strengthening Indigenous Informal Seed...
87 more ECHO Asia Note Articles

Research - Posters

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  1. Poster - Cyantesmo Paper for Detecting Cyanide
    Some tropical crops contain cyanogenic glycosides, toxic substances that release hydrocyanic acid (HCN; also referred to as cyanide) when cells are crushed. Consuming these plants without cooking them can cause cyanide poisoning, with varying effects depending on cyanide levels and how long a...



  2. Poster - Soil Salinity Measurement Trial
    Salt buildup typically occurs in dry areas where evaporation exceeds precipitation. Over time, as water evaporates, the minerals left behind begin to accumulate. Plants need a certain amount of soluble salts, but when the salt content of soil water is greater than that of the water inside plant...



  3. Poster - Seed Storage: Effectiveness of containers on temperature and relative humidity control
    After modifications to the ECHO Global Seed Bank storage unit, seed storage techniques already in use were assessed for effectiveness in achieving appropriate seed storing conditions within the renovated cooling and dehydrating system.Seed type influenced the effect of container on relative...



  4. Poster - Oxalates present in monstera fruit and plant matter
    Plants contain oxalates for a few reasons. The first is that plants do not have an excretory system like animals, so oxalates allow plants the ability to bind up excess calcium (Webb 1999).Plants high in oxalates can have negative effects on the ability of animals to absorb calcium after eating...



  5. Poster - Maize/Legume Intercrop Based on IITA 2-4-2 Design
    The 2:4 maize–double cowpea system consists of 4 rows of cowpea and 2 rows of maize, all planted on the same day. The second cowpea crop is planted after the first has been harvested (about 60 days after planting).1 The maize and cowpea are densely planted. The objective of this trial is to gain...
19 more Research - Posters

ECHO East Africa News

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  1. ECHO East Africa Newsletter Issue 12
    In this issue: Nanenane Agricultural show Appropriate technology ECHO EA seedbank updates Highlights Innovation News in brief ECHO RIC‟s Best Practices





  2. East Africa Newsletter Issue 14
    In this issue: 1. Nutrition in dryland areas symposium 2.Nanenane Agricultural show 3. Appropriate technology 4. ECHO EA seed bank updates 5..Parthenium 6. Upcoming events 7. News in brief





  3. ECHO East Africa Newsletter Issue 2
    In This Issue Seed Bank Update Students Visit ECHO EA Local CA Training Events Staff Transitions Resources for Organic Certif. The Debate over GMOs New Online Resources



  4. East Africa Newsletter Issue 16
    2019-10-01 Introduction to Soil Structure and Health Acidic Soils of the Tropics Testing and Replenishing your Soils Soil Texturing Flowchart Project Highlights and Impact Stories Staff Spotlight





  5. East Africa Newsletter Issue 15
    2019-04-20 In this Issue : 5th Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture and Appropriate Technologies Environmental Conservation Empowering Small-scale Farmers with Seeds History of Maresha Plow
10 more ECHO East Africa News

CAN Nutricion

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  1. Complementary Food - Unit 4. Complementary Feeding
    Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social





  2. Complementary Food - Poster Recipes for a 6-month-old baby
    Organización: ODIM





  3. Diabetes - How to prevent and live healthy with diabetes? Hospitalito, Tzutujil
    Organización: Hospitalito de Atitlán Spanish withTzutujil





  4. Diabetes - How to prevent and live healthy with diabetes? Hospitalito, Kaqchiquel
    Spanish with Kaqchiquel Organización: Hospitalito de Atitlán
  5. Diabetes - How to prevent and live healthy with diabetes? Hospitalito, Quiché
    Organización: Hospitalito de Atitlán Spanish withQuiché
3 more CAN Nutricion

ECHO Research

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  1. Winged Bean Revisited
    In finding a niche for winged bean, determine which part(s) and attributes of these plant parts will be of greatest benefit to farmers. Varieties differ in how much of a particular plant part they produce. Among seven varieties evaluated in a trial at ECHO, ‘Ribbon’ and ‘Bogor’ were the highest...
  2. The Auger Bit Oil Press
    As I studied more about Moringa seed, I learned that its valuable edible oil and this led me to start researching ways of extracting the oil. There are commercial chemical extractions, but these are too costly for the tribal people we work with. There are also cold and warm commercial presses,...



  3. Alternative Germination Mixes for Starting Transplants
    We at ECHO are sometimes asked what we recommend for a germination medium in situations where seeds or seedlings need to be started in pots or plastic sacks before going out to the field. This past summer, we conducted a trial at ECHO to make and evaluate potting mixes that could serve as...



  4. Maize Production with Manure- Amended Compost
    2011-12-01 Information from ECHO Network member Daryl Edwards from his work in Zimbabwe suggested that using quality compost containing 10% cow manure results in a maize harvest similar to that obtained with 100% cow manure. This could be significant to farmers who have small farm sizes and limited...

Haitian Network Documents

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  1. Learn Grafting
    Creole Document discussing grafting.





  2. Wouy Fèy Kafe - Treating Coffee Leaf Rust
    Creole Document - treating coffee leaf rust





  3. Flè Papay / Chaya
    Creole Document - translation of ECHO flyer about Chaya





  4. Gade 2 Manman Lapen - Raising Rabbits
    Creole Document - Raising Rabbits





  5. Fè Yon Pi Tounen Yon Tiyo - Making a Pump with Plastic Pipe
    Creole Document - Making a pump with plastic pipe
20 more Haitian Network Documents

ECHO Research - Guidance

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  1. Toward more Fruitful Agricultural Experimentation
    For many of us the idea of “research” is scary. We are not trained in it. We picture rigorous statistical analyses that we are unfamiliar with. We have seen glossy scientific journals with technical words that we do not understand. Besides, isn’t our goal to directly help smallholder farmers? Why...



  2. Formalizing Your Research: How to Carry Out an Agricultural Experiment
    As you work in agricultural development, there may be times that you find yourself wondering about the answer to a specific question you have. For example, should plants be spaced 30 cm or 60 cm apart to achieve the highest yield? Which one of three tomato cultivars would grow best in a...



  3. Using Science to Help the Poor: Low-budget Research Ideas
    2000-10-20 Halfway through my doctoral studies in biochemistry I had an opportunity to travel to a developing country to visit some missionaries and the people they served. Thanks to that visit I began my “mid-life” crisis in my mid-twenties. My research at Indiana University was in what one would call “...

Food Plant Solutions - Publications

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  1. Growing the Major Food Plants of Papua New Guinea
    If you download a publication, please contact FPSat –info@foodplantsolutions.org Feedback on any publication is invited and much appreciated –info@foodplantsolutions.org Return to the Publications List
  2. Papua New Guinea Food Plant Solutions
    Growing the Major Food Plants of Papua New Guinea Food Plants of Papua New Guinea Diseases of Food Plants in Papua New Guinea Growing Food Plants - Southern Highlands Insect Pests of Food Plants Sago and Gardening FOI Katubu Food Composition of Plants in Papua New Guinea Suggestions on Food...
  3. Pollination Guide for Tasmania
    Practical ways of growing local food plants and doing it well.
  4. Rwanda Food Plant Solutions
    Potentially important food plants of Rwanda Food plants for healthy diets in Rwanda Also available in:Kinyarwanda (rw) Potentially important leafy greens and vegetables in Rwanda Potentially Important Fruit, Nuts and Seeds of Rwanda Good gardening and growing root crops in Rwanda If you...
  5. Western Pacific Food Plant Solutions
    Potentially Important Food Plants of the Western Pacific Potentially Important Fruits and Nuts of the Western Pacific Potentially Important Leafy Greens and Vegetables in the Western Pacific Also available in:Français (fr)Bislama (bi) Food plants for healthy diets in the Western Pacific Also...
79 more Food Plant Solutions - Publications

ECHO Technical Notes

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  1. TN #16 A Beginners Guide to Small-Scale Tropical Agriculture
    So you want to help people in the tropics. Beautiful! The tropics are waiting for you. No matter what your abilities, you can make life better for others in the tropics. Your concern for the physical and spiritual well-being of people can be translated into fruitful service. Your first asset is...





  2. TN #96 Earthbag Seed Banks
    2020-06-29 Seed storage in the tropics has been a frequent topic of ECHO publications and trainings due to its importance to the smallholder farmer. Access to quality seeds is imperative for agronomic and horticultural crop production. While on-farm seed saving benefits the smallholder farmer, cooperative...





  3. TN #95 100-Fold Vegetable Gardens with Low-Cost Wicking Beds
    2019-07-23 I discovered 100-fold gardens while researching ways to irrigate plants directly in the root zone. I wanted to know how to practically and affordably control some of the variables that influence plant growth, such as water availability and soil fertility. I read about “wicking beds,” which are...





  4. TN #94 Parasitic Plants in African Agriculture
    2019-03-21 This Technical Note provides an overview of parasitic plants of agricultural significance in Africa. Parasitic weeds cause drought stress and stunted crops. Affected plants include cereal grains (e.g., sorghum [Sorghum bicolor] and maize [Zea mays]) and grain legumes (e.g., cowpea [Vigna...





  5. TN #93 Vacuum-Sealing Options for Storing Seeds
    2019-01-07 Two broad categories of seeds exist, referred to as recalcitrant and orthodox. The former must be kept moist and planted soon after they are collected; large-seeded fruits such as mango and avocado are typical examples. The second type of seeds are discussed in this document. Orthodox seeds are...
90 more ECHO Technical Notes

Amaranth to Zai Holes

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  1. Poem by Larry Fisher
    After 15 years of EDN, I guess it is not too much to include a bit of levity. Economists, agronomists and planners of late Have discovered a new way to pontificate. Beyond mere jargon, like "Success Enhancement," "Integrated Development," and "Rural Advancement." Working in all their infinite...
  2. Index
    1996-10-19 This book is arranged according to topic. For general reading in a subject area, refer to the table of contents of each chapter. An * indicates that the entry is a book, newsletter, or journal. NOTE:If a line item in the index has two or more references, each reference is indicated by the title...



  3. Chapter 2. Vegetables and Small Fruits in the Tropics
    1996-10-19 Vegetables and small fruits supply essential vitamins and minerals while adding variety and interest to the diet. Produce can also bring a high price in the market and provide additional household income. Vegetable use varies by region, culture, and social group. One of the first changes people...
  4. Amaranth to Zai Holes - Tables
    1996-10-19 Chapter 1 Table 1 Ecological or Life Zones of the Tropics, Sub Tropics, and Warm Temperate Zones Chapter 1 Table 2. Annual Crops (or Perennial Crops grown as annuals) Climatic Needs Chapter 1 Table 3. Important Perennial and Tree Crops Chapter 1 Table 4. Suggested Crops for Specific Climatic...



  5. Chapter 10 Table 1. Relative Nutrient Values of Fruit
    1996-10-19
40 more Amaranth to Zai Holes

ECHO East Africa Notes

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  1. EAN Issue #2
    A Combination of Approaches to Conserve Soil and Water Tephrosia: A Multipurpose Tree for GM/CC, Soil Conservation and IPM



  2. EAN Issue #3
    2014-01-01 Linking Small Scale Farmers to Markets through a Value Chain Approach and the Role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) “Value chain” has recently emerged as a popular business and development concept. The growing integration of the global economy has provided the opportunity for...





  3. EAN Issue #1
    2013-07-01 Conservation Agriculture in East Africa: An Update What’s happening on ECHOcommunity.org? Telfairia pedata: Oyster Nut, Kweme or Zanzibar Oil Vine

ECHO Asia Notes

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  1. AN Issue #43
    2020-08-31 Featured in this AN Mycorrhizal Fungi - Our Tiny Underground Allies Tomato Grafting in Southeast Asia: A Useful Technique for Rainy Season Production Recent Asia Note Links ECHO Upcoming Events Subscribe to ECHO Asia's YouTube Channel Ways to stay connected



  2. AN Issue #42
    2020-05-29 Featured in this AN Making On-Farm Pig Feed:Farm-Generated Formulas vs. Commercial Feeds Join the ECHOcommunity.org Conversation about this topic- CLICK HERE! ECHOs from the Network: Integrated Pest Management on the Island of Bali Coffee Drying "Bunk Beds for Vegetable Production"



  3. AN Issue #41
    2020-03-13 Featured in this AN A Snapshot of the ECHO Asia Small Farm Resource Center & Seed Bank Black Soldier Fly System of the FrangipaniLangkawi Organic Farm



  4. AN Issue #40
    2019-11-29 Featured in this AN State of Land in theMekong Region - Brief Highlighted Resources from the Asia Agriculture & Community Development Conference Research Update:Heavy Metal Uptake in Tire Garden Planters



  5. AN Issue #39
    2019-08-30 Featured in this AN Backyard Vermicomposting Systems: Examples from Myanmar New Book Spotlight: Animal Integration and Feeding Strategies for the Tropical Smallholder Farm
38 more ECHO Asia Notes

ECHO Development Notes (EDN)

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  1. EDN Issue #148
    2020-07-17 Farmer-Centered Climate Change Mitigation:Part 1 of 2 Are Crickets a Practical Source of Protein in Tropical Countries? From ECHO's Seed Bank: Cowpea Varieties for Warm Rainy Season ECHOes from our Network: Emergency Gardens in a Quarantine World Books, Websites, and Other Resources:New ECHO...



  2. TN #96 Earthbag Seed Banks Slideshow Supplement
    2020-06-29 This photo slideshow is a supplement toTechnical Note96: Earthbag Seed Banks.





  3. EDN Issue #147
    2020-04-14 Responding in the Case of an Epidemic or Pandemic A Tip of the Hat to the Tippy Tap Promoting Biodiversity on Maize Smallholdings: Importance of Birds From ECHO's Seed Bank:Fast-Growing Plants for Household Food Supply Echoes from Our Network: 100-Fold Gardens in Honduras Books, Web Sites, and...



  4. EDN new template view
    2020-03-03 This is just to see what the new template looks like on ECHO Community Low Oxygen Methods for InsectControl in Seeds ECHO International Agriculture Conference 2019:Topic Summaries Echoes from our Network:Roger Gietzen on the topic of syntropic farming Books, Web Sites and Other Resources: Vetiver...





  5. EDN Issue #146
    2020-01-27 Low Oxygen Methods for InsectControl in Seeds ECHO International Agriculture Conference 2019:Topic Summaries Echoes from our Network:Roger Gietzen on the topic of syntropic farming Books, Web Sites and Other Resources: Vetiver Latrine
154 more ECHO Development Notes (EDN)

Other Farmer Training Guides

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  1. Natural Pesticides - Facilitator's Guide
    2020-04-20 The source documents (.docx and .pub)of these materials are available in the author's dropbox. The source documents are updated periodically so check here for the most current formats. We encourage you to adapt the source for your purposes. Intended Learning Outcomes – Participants will be able...



  2. CA & Livestock Integration - Facilitator's Guide
    2020-04-20 The source documents (.docx and .pub)of these materials are available in the author's dropbox. The source documents are updated periodically so check here for the most current formats. We encourage you to adapt the source for your purposes. Learning Outcomes At the end of this course,...



  3. CA with Root Crops - Facilitators Guide
    2020-04-20 The source documents (.docx and .pub)of these materials are available in the author's dropbox. The source documents are updated periodically so check here for the most current formats. We encourage you to adapt the source for your purposes. Learning Outcomes – Participants will: 1. Realize that...



  4. Soil Conservation and CA - Facilitators Guide
    2020-04-20 The source documents (.docx and .pub)of these materials are available in the author's dropbox. The source documents are updated periodically so check here for the most current formats. We encourage you to adapt the source for your purposes. Learning Outcomes – Participants will: 1. Appreciate the...



  5. Safe and Effective Grain Storage - Facilitators Guide
    2020-04-20 The source documents (.docx and .pub)of these materials are available in the author's dropbox. The source documents are updated periodically so check here for the most current formats. We encourage you to adapt the source for your purposes. Learning Outcomes – Participants will: 1. Analyze the...
6 more Other Farmer Training Guides

Conservation Agriculture Core Training Guides

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  1. Conservation Agriculture Facilitator’s Guidebook
    2020-04-20 Guide Book alsoavailable in Amharic /Chichewa /Kinyarwanda; Posters also available in Amharic / Kiembu / Kikuyu / Kikamba / Kinyarwanda / Chichewa /Alur; Farmers' Booklet also available in Kinyarwanda The source documents (.docx and .pub)of these materials are available in the author's dropbox....





  2. Conservation Agriculture - Core Lesson Farmer Booklet
    2020-04-20 Guide Book alsoavailable in Amharic /Chichewa /Kinyarwanda; Posters also available in Amharic / Kiembu / Kikuyu / Kikamba / Kinyarwanda / Chichewa /Alur; Farmers' Booklet also available in Kinyarwanda The source documents (.docx and .pub)of these materials are available in the author's dropbox....

CAN Culinaria

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  1. Chaya Recipe Book
    2019-11-20





  2. Healthy cookbook for children
    2019-01-20 RECETARIO WUQU’ KAWOQ Versión 2018-2019 Elaborado por: Valeria Morales. Spanish Only.

ECHO West Africa Notes

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  1. ECHO Notes de l'Afrique de l'Ouest Numéro 3
    2019-07-22 Le système de riziculture intensive (SRI) Qu'est-ce que le SRI ? Les étapes de mise en œuvre du SRI L'irrigation des plants Le sarclage et le sarclo-binage, quels sont les avantages ? Le rendement du SRI Etude comparée entre le SRI et la pratique traditionnelle de riziculture Intérêt du SRI...





  2. ECHO Notes de l'Afrique de l'Ouest Numéro 2
    2018-01-03 Techniques de production avicole traditionnelle epublication:Options de restauration des sols improductifsetOptions où l'eau est rare





  3. ECHO West Africa Note Issue 1
    2017-08-01 Foundations For Farming, an alternative for small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa How to prepare compost in 3 weeks? The preparation of organic liquid fertilizer eBook Release:Fundamentals of Agricultural Development epublication

Haiti Development Notes

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  1. Nòt Devlopman Ayiti - Haiti Development Notes Issue 5
    2019-03-20 Kreyòl





  2. Nòt Devlopman Ayiti - Haiti Development Notes Issue 4
    2018-12-20 Kreyòl





  3. Nòt Devlopman Ayiti - Haiti Development Notes Issue 3
    2018-08-20 Kreyòl





  4. Nòt Devlopman Ayiti - Haiti Development Notes Issue 2
    2018-04-20 Kreyòl





  5. Nòt Devlopman Ayiti - Haiti Development Notes Issue 1
    2018-01-20 Kreyòl

ECHO Latin America and Caribbean Notes (LACN)

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  1. LACN Issue #4
    2018-02-22 Green Leafy Vegetables and Powders for Improved Nutrition in Honduras Member Highlight: Elioena Arauz,Artists for Soup, Nicaragua Echoes from our Network: Deep Litter System ECHO Resource Highlight: Green Leafy Vegetables Technical Note Spotlight: "Linking Smallholder Farmers to Markets"





  2. LACN Issue #3
    2017-12-04 ECHO in Latin America and the Caribbean Experimenting with Medicinal Plants in Matagalpa, Nicaragua Staff Highlight Tech Note Spotlight: "Introducing new seeds overseas" Tech Note Spotlight: "Introduction to Tropical Root Crops" Echoes from our Network Resources: Wuqu' Kawoq (The Maya Health...





  3. LACN Issue #2
    2017-07-31 Las Cañadas Agro-ecological Chickens Module Introducing New Team Leader: Cecilia Gonzalez Tech Note Spotlight: "Cafeteria Feeding" of Chickens From ECHO's Seed Bank: Ethiopian Kale Member Highlight: Javier Ignacio Silva Rivera Our Vision:Honoring God by Empowering the Undernourished with...





  4. LACN Issue #1
    2017-03-30 Making Silage in Vichada Tech Note Spotlight: Biosand Water Filter Echoes from our Network: Member Highlight Adria and Job From ECHO's Technical Respose Team: Appropriate forage crops for clay soils From ECHO's Seed Bank: Forage peanut

ECHO Research Notes

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  1. Creating an Optimum Potting Mixture for Resource-Constrained Growers in Thailand
    2017-12-19 In a tropical setting, growing seedlings can be difficult. A major factor of concern for nursery production is water logging (Zhu et al. 2007). During the rainy season, oversaturated soils can effectively suffocate root systems of a seedling by restricting flow of oxygen and other important...



  2. Performance of Five Alley-Cropped Sweet Corn Varieties Grown in Bohoc, Haiti
    2017-12-19 This trial was conducted in 2004 to compare growth and yield parameters of five sweet corn (Zea mays) varieties (‘NE-EDR’, ‘ZC2451F’, ‘Golden Queen’, ‘Hawaiian Supersweet’, and ‘True Gold’) grown between rows of leguminous trees (mostly Leucaena leucocephala) trees in the Central Plateau of...



  3. Pumpkin Variety Trial
    2017-11-22 Tropical varieties of pumpkin, Cucurbita sp., vary widely in their production, fruit size and quality, and taste. This variety trial and analysis includes eleven varieties available at the ECHO farm in Florida in 2006. All varieties were evaluated for seed viability, total production, fruit size...



  4. Okra Variety Trial: Abelmoschus esculentum & Abelmoschus caillei
    2017-10-04 A comparison trial of okra species and varieties was conducted at the ECHO farm in North Fort Myers (zone 9a/10b), Florida. Thirteen varieties ofAbelmoschus esculentumand two varieties ofAbelmoschus cailleiwere evaluated for pod production and taste. Plants were started from seed in trays, with...





  5. Soil Quality Assessment: Why and How
    2013-12-20 Soil quality, also known as soil health, is the capacity of the soil to function – how well it fills the roles we need it to, whether in a natural or managed ecosystem. A variety of measures are used to gauge soil health; although we can use these characteristics as indicators of soil quality,...
3 more ECHO Research Notes

ECHO Best Practice Notes

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  1. BPN #7 - Selecting Legumes as Green Manure/Cover Crops
    2017-05-26 By integrating legumes into cropping systems, small-scale farmers in low-resource settings can invest in the long-term health and resilience of their soils. Success or failure depends largely on choosing the right legume(s). With that in mind, this document presents insights on legume selection...





  2. BPN #6 - Conservation Agriculture
    2016-09-28 Farmers in many parts of the world, because of human population growth, have little choice but to crop their land continuously, with scarce resources to replace nutrients withdrawn by each successive crop. Crop residues are often lost as a source of organic matter and mulch, usually through...





  3. BPN #5 - Seed Storage in the Tropics
    2016-03-22 Yearly production of grains, pulses, and vegetables depends on a reliable supply of quality seed. This is true for the farmer growing a crop to feed their family as well as for the agricultural worker evaluating and growing out seeds of a new crop species or variety that could improve lives. In...





  4. BPN #4 - Institutional Agricultural Design
    2014-04-01 ECHO frequently receives questions from members of our network, asking how available land could be used to grow food and/or create income to augment an otherwise non-agricultural project. Broadly speaking, they are asking how to begin an institutional agriculture project—a coordinated agriculture...





  5. BPN #3 - Assisting Pastoralists
    2014-02-26 Pastoralism is a livelihood whereby people depend upon herding domesticated livestock. In East Africa, pastoralists depend primarily upon cattle, sheep, donkeys, goats and camels— listed in order of least resilience as one moves into drier and more arid lowland areas. Pastoralists play an...
2 more ECHO Best Practice Notes

Agricultural Risk Assessment and Management

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  1. Risk Assessment/ Measurement and Prioritization in Agriculture
    2017-01-20 A Comprehensive Agricultural Risk Assessment Survey should include key informants like those listed below, to assess risk at both: the farmer/ARE level and the value-chain level. It will never be possible to include all the informants listed below, but the best risk assessment resulting in the...



  2. Agricultural Risk Management Services: A Key to Increasing Financial Inclusion of Farmers
    2013-03-13 Within the internationally recognized field of agricultural risk assessment and management, riskscan be evaluated according to three basic criteria : 1. Impact: In other words, how severe will the risk event be if it actually happens? Some risks can destroy the whole year's farm income and even...



  3. Ag Risk Assessment Practical Exercise Koboko
    2013-01-20 This Risk Assessment Exercise is bestused in conjunction with the other Risk Management materials provided by Steve Hodges



  4. Ag Risk Assessment Prioritization Worksheet
    2013-01-20 This information in this worksheet is bestused in conjunction with the other Risk Management materials provided by Steve Hodges, Managing Director/Consultant,African Agriculture Risk Management Services, Uganda. Steve spoke at the 2012 ECHO International Agriculture Conference



  5. Ag Risk Management Planning Process and Scoring Grid
    2013-01-20 Risk Management Planning assumes that assessment of risks has taken place, and that risks have been prioritized according to severity, likelihood, and manageability of the risks. The resulting risks can then be placed on the scoring grid below and actions identified to address the risks. Once...

ECHO Asia News

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  1. Asia News #10
    2016-11-20



  2. Asia News #9
    2016-05-20



  3. Asia News #8
    2015-09-20



  4. Asia News #7
    2015-03-20



  5. Asia News #6
    2014-11-20
5 more ECHO Asia News

ECHO Summaries

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  1. Analyzing and Supporting Gender Responsive Value Chains
    2015-08-05 The complexity of the global food system creates a diverse group of actors ranging from smallholders to large corporations involved in the agriculture sector. Each of the many actors in an agriculture value chain has different needs, objectives, strengths and weaknesses. With women accounting for...





  2. Farmer Engagement in Agriculture Extension
    2015-08-05 Good intentions and viable solutions will have little impact unless we engage with farmers in ways that are meaningful to them. Farmers put a great deal of confidence in what they learn from fellow farmers’ experiences, and they are more likely to trust what they see over what they hear....





  3. Effective Use of Workshops in Agriculture Extension
    2015-07-14 Workshops are an often-used and effective tool that extension workers can use to teach new skills to groups of farmers. This document, drawn from the USAID/MEAS Technical Note on Presenting Workshops to Adults, explains how a workshop setting differs from that of a classroom/teaching setting, and...



  4. Lessons from Small Farm Resource Centers
    2015-07-13 Based on a MEAS paper entitled, The Current and Future Roles of Small Farm Resource Centers in Extension and Advisory Services: Synthesis Report from Seven Case Studies in Southeast Asia, this document highlights key take-a-ways of an assessment by ECHO of seven SFRCs in Southeast Asia. Through...



  5. Teaching in Field Settings
    2015-06-03 Field-based teaching provides first-hand experience about the subject matter being discussed. An on-site encounter allows farmers to observe innovations in practice, discuss them, and ask questions. Farmers exposed to new ideas will be much more likely to understand and apply the information if...
7 more ECHO Summaries

CAN Agricultura

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  1. A garden for all - Self-instruction manual
    2014-01-20 5ta Edición revisada y ampliada Chile Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura Spanish Only.

Heifer International - Selected Publications

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  1. A guide for better dairy goat rearing
    2010-01-20 Swahili only Mwongozo wa ufugaji bora wa mbuzi wa maziwa





  2. Pig Husbandry Manual
    2010-01-20 Pig farming in Tanzania has primarily been for a long time of backyard and informal sector producers. However in order to secure both food and nutritional security to rural Tanzania households, there is a need of embracing integrated approaches in livestock farming. Pig farming in Tanzania is...
  3. The Best Dairy Cattle
    2010-01-20 Swahili Only Ufugaji bora wa ng'ombe wa maziwa-2
  4. Natural Chicken Book
    2008-07-20 Swahili Only Kitabu cha kuku wa asili
  5. A guide to camel farming
    1996-01-19 Swahili only Mwongozo kuhusu ufugaji wa ngamia
3 more Heifer International - Selected Publications

A Natural Farming System For Sustainable Agriculture In the Tropics

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  1. Sustainable Agriculture Book - Chapter 5 Basic_Inoculation
    2005-01-20 EM Extended is now ready to use as a diluted solution. It’s part of the Big Solution. If you feed the soil and manage it according to the 10 Fundamentals you will see tangible results. We will discuss these fundamentals in the following chapters. Let’s go over the basic application procedure for...



  2. Sustainable Agriculture Book - Chapter 6 The_Ten_Fundamentals
    2005-01-20 We gardeners, farmers and food growers are always looking for new technology, but a large body of information is already available to us. When I scan resources from A to Z, I find many interesting titles that are widely published and now available from Amazon books, Acres USA, ATTRA and various...



  3. Sustainable Agriculture Book - Chapter 7 Crop Rotation
    2005-01-20 Proper crop rotation is Fundamental #1. It will beat the disease and pest cycle while promoting nutrient cycling. This is a forgotten age-old method to assure the health of future crops. It is of the utmost importance to minimize nutrient loss for long-range success. When the same plant is...



  4. Sustainable Agriculture Book - Introduction
    2005-01-20 When you live in the developing world, you start to see things differently. I started visiting this country on short-term visits with Christian groups in 1995. I surveyed the rural areas and worked with people who were trying to make a difference with the knowledge they had. It’s hard to ignore...



  5. Sustainable Agriculture Book - Chapter 16 Livestock Integration
    2005-01-20 The best way to finish off your dream farm or garden is to balance it with a small livestock unit. Animal integration is Fundamental #10. It will create a low cost high quality fertilizer source as well as produce food to eat. Livestock properly managed will bring the tropical farmer higher...
24 more A Natural Farming System For Sustainable Agriculture In the Tropics

USDA Agriculture Handbooks

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  1. Tropical tree seed manual
    2002-01-20 File: Download [PDF File] 38MB Author(s): Vozzo, J. A.,United States. Forest Service. Subject(s): Trees -- Tropics -- Seeds.,Trees -- North America -- Seeds.,Tropical plants -- Seeds -- Identification.,Tropical plants -- North America -- Seeds -- Identification. Format: 899 p. Coverage: tropics...



  2. Perennial edible fruits of the Tropics : an inventory
    1987-01-19 File: Download [PDF File] Author(s): Martin, Franklin W.,Campbell, Carl W.,Ruberte, Ruth M.,United States. Agricultural Research Service. Subject(s): Plants, Edible -- Tropics.,Tropical fruit. Format: 247 p. Coverage: tropics Language: English Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural...



  3. Tropical yams and their potential. Part 5, Dioscorea trifida
    1978-01-19 File: Download [PDF File] Author(s): Martin, Franklin W.,Degras, Lucien. Subject(s): Yams. Format: iv, 26 p. Language: English Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Year: 1978 Series: USDA agriculture handbooks Rights: This item is authored by federal employees as part of their official duties...



  4. Tropical yams and their potential. Part 6, Minor cultivated dioscorea species
    1978-01-19 File: Download [PDF File] Author(s): Martin, Franklin W.,Degras, Lucien. Subject(s): Yams -- Tropics. Format: iii, 23 p. Coverage: tropics Language: English Publisher: Science and Education Administration, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in cooperation with Agency for International Development Year:...



  5. Tropical yams and their potential. Part 4, Dioscorea rotundata and dioscorea cayenensis
    1977-01-19 File: Download [PDF File] Author(s): Martin, Franklin W.,Sadik, Sidki. Subject(s): Yams -- Tropics. Format: iv, 36 p. Coverage: tropics Language: English Publisher: Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in cooperation with Agency for International Development Year: 1977...
4 more USDA Agriculture Handbooks

Books

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  1. Living on Little - Navigating financial scarcity in modern Kenya
    2020-01-20 Living on Little illuminates the many deep and overlooked ways that scarcity shapes the lives of ordinary Kenyans. Drawing on four years of systematic research with nearly 300 low-income families, this book offers readers a new and intimate perspective on poverty. Living on very little money...
  2. Arabica coffee cultivation and extension manual for the highlands of Northern Thailand
  3. The healing miracles of coconut oil
6900 more books
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  1. Effect of different processing methods on certain antinutritional factors and protein digestibility in green and white faba bean (Vicia faba L.)
    Abstract, Journal of Food, 2013 Effects of several physical treatments (soaking, dehulling, ordinary cooking, microwave cooking, and autoclaving) on the level of antinutrtional factors and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of green and white faba beans were investigated. The raw green and...





  2. Haihui
    Haihui is a non-profit organization dedicated to poverty alleviation and the sustainable development of rural communities. We have two main centers: The Sichuan Haihui Poverty Alleviation Service Center and The Shanghai Haihui Community Livelihood Development Center. For years, we have partnered...



  3. How to Start Snail Farming Business in Nigeria: ( Step By Step )
    Snail farming business is a business anyone can dive into due to its low capital intensity and presently it is providing one of the finest opportunities to make money within a short period of time. Snail has a huge demand in Nigeria market because of its unique taste and nutritional value.
2592 more links

Presentations

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  1. Intro to Soil Science Session 4 slides
    2020-09-11 Why is organic matter important? What causes biological degradation? How can I assess my soil biology and how can I improve it? This training is the 4th in a series discussing soil science.





  2. Intro to Soils Session 3 slides
    This training gives a broad overview and introduction to some basic soil characteristics: phases (solid, liquid, gas), texture, density, structure, reaction (pH), plant-water relationships, organic matter, and nutrients. After some classroom discussion we wentout to into the ECHO Farm wherewe...





  3. Intro to Soil Science Session 2 Slides
    This training gives a broad overview and introduction to some basic soil characteristics: phases (solid, liquid, gas), texture, density, structure, reaction (pH), plant-water relationships, organic matter, and nutrients. After some classroom discussion we wentout to into the ECHO Farm wherewe...
976 more presentations

Plant Information Sheets

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  1. Acacia mangium
    Acacia mangium can grow to be a tall tree up to 30 m. It is a fast-growing tree that can tolerate acidic and degraded soils. This tree grows best with moderate rainfall and full sunlight. It is one of the major leguminous species used in plantation forestry programs throughout Asia and the...
  2. Adzuki Bean
    Adzuki bean is a bushy or vining, nitrogen-fixing, annual plant that is moderately drought tolerant. This bean grows best in temperate climates or higher altitudes in the tropics. The young pods, fresh seeds and dry beans are used for human consumption.
  3. African Mahogany
    Khaya nyasica is a large evergreen or semi-deciduous forest tree up to 60 m in height. It has a rounded crown that provides dense shade. This tree is an important timber species and the wood is also used for furniture, firewood, tools, carving and for canoes.
354 more plant information sheets

Videos

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  1. 1 Teaspoon of Soil: What's in there?!
    Soil is teeming with life! What exactly lives in our soil? To learn more about soil science, go to our series on Introduction to Soil Science at ECHOcommunity.org: http://edn.link/gkpcg6



  2. Compost versus Soil: What's the difference?
    Composting is the natural process of 'rotting' or decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms under controlled conditions. Raw organic materials such as crop residues, animal wastes, food garbage, some municipal wastes and suitable industrial wastes, enhance their suitability for...



  3. Why is Soil Organic Matter (SOM) Important? (Intro to Soil Science Part 4)
    Why is organic matter important? What causes biological degradation? How can I assess my soil biology and how can I improve it? This training is the 4th in a series discussing soil science. This series of lectures and practical demonstrations gives a broad overview and introduction to some basic...
326 more videos