Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Section 3 • Living Soil, Integrated Soil Nutrient and Crop Managements
3. Develop an improved procedure of contour farming for organic vegetable production in sloping
areas.
4. Facilitate each small group to do contour farming for organic vegetables grown in sloping areas
of learning field during land preparation and laying-out by improving the procedure below:
5 Prepare land properly and incorporate all weeds and crop residues into the soil;
5 Determine which areas have the same elevation in contour planting using a leveling triangle;
5 Determine and layout rows or strips in learning field starting from highest elevation;
5 Determine which rows or strips will be planted with organic vegetable and hedgerow crops;
5 Prepare rows or strips to be planted with organic vegetable and hedgerow crops;
5 Plant rows or strips with organic vegetables and hedgerow crops; and
5 Take note of all relevant observations and experiences during this activity.
5. Synthesize and summarize output of small groups into one big group output. Draw up
conclusions and recommendations from this exercise.
some suggested questions for processing discussion
❏ Did you observe farmers practicing contour farming for organic vegetables grown in slopes?
❏ Did you observe different contour farming practices for different crops grown in slopes?
❏ Did you observe farmers using different hedgerow crops grown for contour farming? What are
these hedgerow crops?
❏ Is contour farming an effective soil conservation strategy for organic vegetable production in
sloping areas? What contour farming practice is best for a particular topography for organic
vegetable production in sloping areas?
❏ Did you observe any innovative contour farming practices used by farmers as a soil conservation
strategy in organic vegetable production? What benefits did farmers derive from practicing
contour farming for organic vegetable production in sloping areas?
❏ What other cultural management options can you use to complement contour farming as a soil
conservation strategy for organic vegetable production in sloping areas?
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