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

materials
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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
• Office supplies (e.g., Manila papers, ruler, notebooks, ball pens, marking pens, and crayons);
• Field supplies (e.g., seeds, watering cans, measuring cans, bamboo sticks, etc.); and
• Organic vegetable seedbed ready for sowing (e.g., vegetable seedbed in learning field).
methodology
• Field walks, hands-on, and brainstorming
steps
1. Divide big group into five small groups. Before sowing seeds in seedbed, each group should
observe already established seedbeds in adjoining farms and record sowing method, seeding
density, estimated percentage germination, seedling vigor, pest and disease occurrence, etc.
Interview some farmers to gather other relevant information.
2. The participants in each small group should brainstorm for possible modification of sowing
method to use. Each small group will then sow seeds in seedbed (e.g., hands-on) prepared for
their assigned organic vegetable crops. The groups may opt to use conventional sowing method
to a small portion of their seedbed for comparison.
3. Every week thereafter, each group will record the same observations they made before sowing
in their seedbed. After every observation, participants in each small group should brainstorm
and summarize their observations but present the same to the big group every other week until
seedlings are ready for transplanting. The summary of weekly observations should be printed
in Manila paper.
4. After final observations, conduct participatory discussions in a big group to allow sharing of
experiences among participants and facilitators. Synthesize and summarize output of small
groups into one big group output. Draw up conclusions and recommendation from this exercise.
some suggested questions for processing discussion
❏ When is the best time to sow seeds in seedbeds for organic vegetable growing? Why?
❏ What were the most appropriate seeding rate and distance between rows? Why?
❏ Did you observe differences in percentage seed germination, seedling vigor, pest and disease
occurrence, etc. in seedbeds where you sow seeds and in seedbeds you observed in adjoining farms?