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ECHO Research

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  1. 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,...



  2. 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...



  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...

ECHO Asia Note Articles

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  1. Op-Ed: Forage Plants for Improved Human Development
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note # 33. I read David Price’s concerns about promoting invasive forage plants in Asia Note #25 [Eds’ Note: AN #25 was written in response to AN #23] and would like to respond based on my own experience and observations. My reply will be based on the following...





  2. A Small Farm Water Management Case Study: Fighting Climate Change and Promoting Self Sufficiency
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #26 Mr. Bunlom Taokaew is the son of rice farmers. He chose a career as a businessman after he finished school. Because he didn’t make enough of a living, he went into debt to the order of hundreds of thousands of baht. He borrowed money from his father, a...





  3. Farm-Generated Feed: Chicken Feed Production
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #28 Farm-generated fertility contributes to a more sustainable agricultural system. Crop residues and manures are part of the nutrient cycle for plant production and can lower input costs through the use of thermophilic composting, vermiculture, bokashi...





  4. Charcoal Production in 200-Liter Horizontal Drum Kilns
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #7 Editor: Due to the length of this article, only a portion isincluded in ECHO Asia Notes. The full article, includingillustrated steps related to the assembly of 200- liter drumkilns as well as charcoal and wood vinegar production, canbe accessed via the web...





  5. Options for Smallholder Farms: Water Management Design Principles
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #26 At the beginning of last year, Thailand experienced its most severe drought in twenty years. Only four years ago it also experienced its most severe flooding. Natural disasters are occurring with increasing frequency and severity; it is therefore vital to...
85 more ECHO Asia Note Articles

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

General Technical Documents

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  1. Dryland Farming: Crops & Techniques for Arid Regions
    In every region of the world it is necessary to find or develop appropriate techniques for agriculture. A large part of the surface of the world is arid, characterized as too dry for conventional rain fed agriculture. Yet, millions of people live in such regions, and if current trends in...



  2. ECHO Community Garden Toolkit
    The purpose of this resource is to suggest several key considerations for beginning a small garden project. This information is meant to be a guideline to better assist you in the organization and implementation of particular elements crucial to making a garden project successful. While each...
  3. 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...



  4. Seed Bank Harvest Report - DOC



  5. Appropriate Construction Technologies for Community Development
    Geoffrey Wheeler,Center for Vocational Building Technology Appropriate Construction Technologies for God's People, their Animals and Grain There are many appropriate building technologies available. How environmental friendly are they? Earthquake resistant? Typhoon resistant? How can we introduce...
49 more General Technical Documents

Haitian Network Documents

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  1. Normal Temperature, Respiration, Heart Rate and Weights for Goats, Cattle, Pigs, Horses in Haiti
    Normal Temperature, Respiration, Heart Rate and Weights for Goats, Cattle, Pigs, Horses in Haiti Temperati, Respirasyon, Batman Kè epi Pwa Nòmal pou Kabrit, Bèf, Kochon, Cheval an Ayiti



  2. Vaccines for Common Diseases in Haiti by Species
    Vaccines for Common Diseases in Haiti by Species





  3. Vitamin ak Mineral Yo - Macro and  Common Micro Minerals
    A Creole document with Macro and Common Micro Minerals their functions and problems that occur with deficiency or excess. Vitamins - Fat and Water Soluble, functions and problems that occur with deficiency or excess





  4. Breeding Rabbit in Haiti
    Creole Document :breeding rabbits is a very exciting job, and provides many economic advantage.





  5. Nouvo Gid Kilti Legim - New Guide to Growing Vegetables
    Creaole Document -Nouvo Gid Kilti Legim - New Guide to Growing Vegetables
20 more Haitian Network Documents

ECHO Asia Seed Fact Sheets

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  1. Mucuna pruriens
    General description and special characteristics – Vigorous, vining, annual (sometimes biennial) legume. Vines may extend up to 18 m (19.7 yd) in length. Velvet bean originally came from China and eastern India where it was commonly grown as a green vegetable crop. Varieties Bush Variety (พันธุพุ...



  2. Hibiscus sabdariffa
    General description and special characteristics – Roselle. A tall, slightly bushy perennial plant with red stems, leaves and succulent calyces. Varieties – Burmese (พันธุทัองถินพมา):A hardy, red-stemmed roselle that produces many calyces. 90 days from seed to flower. With edible leaf shoots, an...



  3. Lactuca sativa L.
    General description and special characteristics -Khasi Green is a looseleaf type of lettuce (as opposed to head and stem lettuce varieties). Varieties - Celtuce (ผักสลัดตน พันธุทองถิน):Variety is similar to Khasi Green in maintenance but different in use. Young leaves can be eaten as well as the...



  4. Hibiscus acetosella
    General description and special characteristics – A striking and colorful African perennial with red to maroon leaves resembling a maple leaf in shape. Tends to grow straight and tall without pruning, but can be formed into a bush or shrub. The leaves are pleasantly tart to eat. Variety –‘ECHO’



  5. Guizotia abyssinica
    General description and special characteristics – Niger seed is an erect, annual dicotyledonous plant that develops yellow flowers that produce shiny black seeds. In Ethiopia, India, and Myanmar, it is primarily grown as an oilseed crop, but also produced to sell to various countries as wild bird...
54 more ECHO Asia Seed Fact Sheets

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

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 “...

CAN Nutricion

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





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





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





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

Research - Posters

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  1. 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...



  2. 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...



  3. 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...



  4. 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...





  5. 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...
19 more Research - Posters

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. Chart 8 - A Comparison of Selected Tropical Fruit Crops
    1996-10-19



  3. Chapter 1 Table 2. Annual Crops (or Perennial Crops grown as annuals) Climatic Needs
    1996-10-19



  4. Chapter 1 Table 4. Suggested Crops for Specific Climatic Zones
    1996-10-19



  5. Chapter 3 Table 1. Comparison of some nutritional constituents of green and mature pigeonpeas on a dry-weight basis
    1996-10-19
40 more Amaranth to Zai Holes

Food Plant Solutions - Publications

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  1. Fresh Food for Families Event Guidelines
    Imagine - You are an immigrant to a country which, in contrast to all that you are familiar with, is in a different climate, with different soils, and different plants which will flourish in these conditions. You are keen to be a good provider for your family and the idea of growing fresh fruit...
  2. Potentially Important Food Plants of Ethiopia
    2020-07-20 This book is designed as a simple introduction to the more common food plants of Ethiopia. It is hoped people will take greater pride and interest in these plants and become confident and informed about how to grow and use them. Many of the local food plants that occur in every country are very...
  3. Potentially Important Food Plants of Cameroon
    2019-04-20 This book is designed as a simple introduction to the more common food plants of Cameroon. It is hoped people will take greater pride and interest in these plants and become confident and informed about how to grow and use them. Many of the local food plants that occur in every country are very...
  4. Potentially Important Food Plants of Tanzania
    2018-11-20 This book is designed as a simple introduction to the more common food plants of Tanzania. It is hoped people will take greater pride and interest in these plants and become confident and informed about how to grow and use them. Many of the local food plants that occur in every country are very...
  5. Potentially Important Food Plants of Zambia
    2018-04-20 This book is designed as a simple introduction to the more common food plants of Zambia. It is hoped people will take greater pride and interest in these plants and become confident and informed about how to grow and use them. Many of the local food plants that occur in every country are very...
29 more Food Plant Solutions - Publications

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 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)

ECHO Asia Notes

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  1. AN Issue #42
    2020-05-29 Featured in this AN Words of Gratitude & Solidarity from the ECHO Asia Director Making On-Farm Pig Feed:Farm-Generated Formulas vs. Commercial Feeds Join the ECHOcommunity.org Conversation about this topic- CLICK HERE! ECHOsfrom the Network: Integrated PestManagement on the Island of Bali...



  2. 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 ECHO Asia Upcoming Events Small Scale Fish Culture Workshop ECHO Asia CareerOpportunities Career Opportunity: ECHO Asia Agricultural Training...



  3. 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 Upcoming events in 2020 at the ECHO Asia Farm New Seedlings Available Opportunities from...



  4. 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 ECHO Asia Conference is fast approaching! Spotlight on plenary speakers and site visits! Call for Articles & Insights



  5. AN Issue #38
    2019-05-15 Featured in this AN #38: Refugee Camps asMicrocosm: Restoration & Sustainability in anAccidental City Low-Cost Natural Building Options for Storing Seed in Tropical Southeast Asia ECHO Asia Upcoming Events- Register for ECHO Asia Conference 2019! Opportunity from the Network Ethiopian Kale...
37 more ECHO Asia Notes

Other Farmer Training Guides

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  1. Integrated Soil Fertility Management - 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. Understand the...



  2. Preparing CA Fields with Ox-Drawn Rippers - 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...



  3. Using Pesticides Safely - 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 – Participants will be able to: 1....



  4. 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,...



  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 - 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....





  2. 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....

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. 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...



  2. 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...



  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 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...



  4. 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



  5. 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

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. A Guide to Better Pig Breeding
    2010-01-20 Swahili only. Mwongozo wa Ufugaji Bora wa Nguruwe
  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 12 Mulching
    2005-01-20 Mulching is Fundamental #6. It will conserve topsoil and moisture, as well as provide fertilizer. When straw or crop residue covers the topsoil, it holds it in place while stopping raindrops from compacting soil. Areas with heavy rain require more plowing. It also slows down rain run off so that...



  2. Sustainable Agriculture Book - Appendix 6 - A Rice Mill Primer
    2005-01-20 The rice industry in the Philippines has gone through various challenges and will benefit from EM technologies. Growing, harvesting and processing rice creates high volumes of waste that can be captured and converted back into fertilizer for the next crop. It is important to understand the...



  3. Sustainable Agriculture Book - Chapter 14 Minimal Tillage
    2005-01-20 Minimal Tillage is Fundamental #8. It will preserve soil life and structure, save labor and increase profits. The soil food web is disturbed when continual plowing is practiced. The hoofs of the carabao (water buffalo) or tractor compact the soil while the plow causes disruption in microorganism...



  4. Sustainable Agriculture Book - Chapter 13 Cover Cropping
    2005-01-20 Cover cropping is Fundamental #7. It is the technique of growing plants that protect the soil to conserve topsoil and moisture. It can be considered a living mulch. Under sowing legumes below existing crops and other companion plants will work well. You get all the advantages of mulching; soil...



  5. Sustainable Agriculture Book - Chapter 18 Planning Session
    2005-01-20 Plans should be drawn up before any effort is wasted. Think through your traffic routes and flow of materials. Integrate your resource recovery plan in this process. Set your goals and lay down the steps that you think are needed as you see it now. Write it down; it will be a flexible starting...
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. Low-cost measurement of facemask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech
    Abstract, Science Advances, 2020 Mandates for mask use in public during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, worsened by global shortage of commercial supplies, have led to widespread use of homemade masks and mask alternatives. It is assumed that wearing such masks reduces the likelihood for an...



  2. Why organic resources and current fertilizer formulations in Southern Africa cannot sustain maize productivity: Evidence from a long-term experiment in Zimbabwe
    Abstract, PLoS One, 2017 Sustainability of maize-based cropping systems is a major challenge for southern Africa, yet the demand for maize as staple food and animal feed in the region continues to increase. A study was conducted on a sandy clay loam (220 g clay kg-1soil) at Domboshawa in Zimbabwe...



  3. CABI Invasive Species Compendium - Tea Mosquito Bug
    Helopeltis theivora (tea mosquito bug) Datasheets and Additional Resources
2619 more links

Presentations

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  1. 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...





  2. Intro to Soil Science Training 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...





  3. Intro to Soil Science Training Session 1 Slides
    This 1/2 day training gave abroad 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 went head out to into the ECHO Farm...
975 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.
319 more plant information sheets

Videos

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  1. Intro to Soils Session 3_part 2_ chemical properties in soil
    This video is Session 3 part 3 of our ongoing training on "Introduction to Soil Science." 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,...



  2. Intro to Soils Session 3_ how to collect soil samples for testing
    This video is Session 3 part 3 of our ongoing training on "Introduction to Soil Science." 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,...



  3. Intro to Soils Session 3_Part 1
    This video is Session 3 part 3 of our ongoing training on "Introduction to Soil Science." 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,...
312 more videos