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

methodology
• Field walks, hands-on, and brainstorming
steps
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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
1. Divide participants in small groups in accordance with the closeness of their farms. Briefly
explain the objective of exercise and ask them to conduct field walks and observe soil textural
and structural classes of their individual farms as follows:
5 describe physical characteristics (e.g., soil textural and structural classes) of soil in their
individual farms
5 take note in a piece of paper description of physical characteristics of soils in their individual
farms
2. Go back to processing area. Brainstorm in small groups to integrate all observations in
individual farms.
3. Present output of small groups to the big group. Conduct participatory discussion to allow
sharing of experiences among participants on the characteristics of each identified soil textural
and structural classes. Relate effects on crop growth and soil-water management practices.
Perform the following activities:
5 Draw a simple map of area on a Manila paper indicating roads, rivers, settlements, slopes
(e.g., for mountain areas), etc.
5 Mark farm location of individual farmers on map
5 Identify soil textural and structural classes boundary on map
5 Place each group’s soil texture and soil structure descriptions close to their site on map
4. 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
❏ What do we mean by barangay soil mapping? What is the importance of making a barangay
soil map based on soil type (e.g., soil texture and soil structure)?
❏ Were there differences observed in the soil characteristics of farmers’ individual farm? Were
there differences in soil textures and soil structures?