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

Section 3 • Living Soil, Integrated Soil Nutrient and Crop Managements
Many organic vegetable farmers had accumulated vast experiences in dealing with different soil
textures and structures. These experiences must be shared with others in FFSs to further improve
current practices in managing soils with varying soil textures and structures. This exercise was
designed to address this particular concern.
How long will this exercise take?
• Thirty minutes to one hour for field walks and observations of soil texture and structure
management practices for organic vegetables grown at adjoining fields of learning field; and
• Thirty minutes to one hour for hands-on and brainstorming session in processing area.
learning objectives
• To make participants aware of and understand how proper soil texture and soil structure
management can improve productivity and profitability in growing organic vegetables; and
• To learn from other farmers and do hands-on of proper soil texture and structure management
that will improve productivity and profitability in organic vegetable production.
materials
• Organic vegetable crops grown in soils of different soil textures and structures in adjoining
fields of learning field;
• Soils obtained in ‘Soil Biodiversity’ exercise, if conducted already;
• Office supplies (e.g., Manila papers, notebooks, ball pens, and marking pens); and
• Other supplies (e.g., empty one-litter capacity plastic bottles, cutter, alaskin (tulle), rubber
bands, water, and weighing scale).
methodology
• Field walks, hands-on, and brainstorming
steps
1. Divide participants in small groups and ask them to conduct field walks and observe different
soil textures and structures in adjoining fields of learning field, as follows:
5 Group I to visually observe soil texture and structure of forest soil (e.g., undisturbed forest
trees are grown)
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