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

Section 5 • Integrated Disease Management
learning objectives
• To create awareness and appreciation among participants on the role of raised beds in plant
disease management of organically-grown vegetables;
• To learn and understand the best practices of co-farmers in using raised beds or plot as a disease
management strategy in organic vegetable production; and
• To learn from others and understand other benefits derived by farmers from using raised beds
in organic vegetable production.
materials
• Office supplies (e.g., hand lenses, notebooks, ball pens, marking pens, crayons, Manila papers);
and
• Organic vegetable crops grown in raised beds and flat beds (e.g., vegetable crops are more or
less at same growth stages).
methodology
• Field walks, hands-on, and brainstorming
steps
1. Divide participants in small groups and ask them to conduct field walks and observe as many
organic vegetable crops grown in raised and flat beds in fields. Take note of different activities
in raised and flat bed preparations. Interview other farmers, if necessary. List down all
observations related to pest and disease occurrence, crop stand, weed growth, soil moisture,
drainage conditions, etc.
2. Go back to processing area, brainstorm in small groups and present output to the big group.
Conduct participatory discussions to allow sharing of experiences among participants
and facilitators. Motivate farmers to share their best experiences in raised and flat bed
preparations.
3. Synthesize and summarize output of small groups into one big group output. Draw up
conclusions and recommendations from this exercise. Facilitate farmers to do hands-on during
actual bed preparations in their learning fields of the best experiences they shared.
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