Farm Resource Management (FRM) - College of Agricultural ...

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AWATT Farm Resource Management Training ManualDisease Control ......................................................................................................................................... 21Insect Control ............................................................................................................................................ 21Weed Control ............................................................................................................................................ 22Soil Nitrogen ............................................................................................................................................... 22Soil Tilth and Structure ............................................................................................................................ 22Soil Moisture ............................................................................................................................................... 23Reduction of Soil Erosion ........................................................................................................................ 23Allelopathy .................................................................................................................................................. 23Monitoring and Possible Redesign of Rotation ................................................................................... 23CHAPTER 5: FORAGE LEGUME ................................................................................................................. 24CHAPTER 6: INTEGRATED CROP-LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEM ................................................. 25Diversified vs. Integrated Systems ......................................................................................................... 26Advantages and Constraints of the System ......................................................................................... 27Key Principles ............................................................................................................................................. 29Lessons Learned and Recommendations ............................................................................................. 29Key Issues/Questions for Project Design ............................................................................................. 30CHAPTER 7: RURAL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION .......................................................................... 32Definitions ................................................................................................................................................... 32CHAPTER 8: MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF THE FRM ......................................................... 33FRM Model in the Lower Watershed Areas of Nangarhar ............................................................. 33CHAPTER 9: FARM ENTERPRISE ............................................................................................................... 35Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 35Diversification of Farm Enterprises and the Increased Need to Produce for the Market........ 35Need for Improved Management and Business Skills to Increase Profits and Farm Income.... 36Definition of a Farm .................................................................................................................................. 36CHAPTER 10: FARM MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................................... 39Definition of Farm Management ............................................................................................................. 39Farmer as a Manager Needs New Skills ............................................................................................... 39Functions of Farm Management ............................................................................................................. 40Further Reading .............................................................................................................................................. 41Sources of Information and Examples of Best Practice............................................................................ vTABLE OF FIGURESFigure 1 Key aspects of an integrated crop-livestock farming system. ....................................................... 26Figure 2 Phases of Farm Management .......................................................................................................... 40Afghanistan Water, Agriculture and Technology Transfer Programiii
AWATT Farm Resource Management Training ManualFARM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (FRM)PROGRAM FOCUS AND BENEFITS - FRM CONCEPTA sustainable cropping system is an essential part of a complete farming system of soil, water,air, plant, animal, and human resources. Considering how the farm fits into broader watershedmanagement (e.g. off-site effects and resource opportunities) is also fundamental to problemposingand problem-solving, resource management success, and development of sustainablecommunities.We should focus on understanding and improving soil quality, water quantity/quality, air quality,nutrient and salinity management, crop yield and quality, irrigation/water management, andintegrated pest management. In addition, we should concentrate on reducing overall on-farmenergy use, inputs, production costs, pest incidences, pumping costs, and soil and water losses.The key approach to achieving integrated sustainable management is to think system(ecosystem, whole farm, and watershed), think critically (connect the dots), actively seekresource opportunities, emphasize technology ―exchange‖ vs. ―transfer‖ with other producersand partners, plan creatively and flexibly, and focus on keeping energy flow through theintegrated system. A reemphasis on biological factors is also necessary since recent agriculturehas essentially forgotten biological processes, but rather focused on chemical and physicalfactors. Improving soil quality is a key to improving soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources.Case studies, field trials, and demonstrations are all important approaches for technologyexchange. Interdisciplinary teams including producers and partners are necessary to developintegrated sustainable farming systems.We must utilize holistic approaches to management of soil and water resources. Integration ofneeded conservation practices and management schemes assures critical resource concerns areaddressed and water quality, soil quality, and overall ecosystem health is maintained orimproved. Considering how the farm fits into broader watershed management is also essentialto ‗problem-posing and solving‘ to ensure resource management success.Now is a critical time to implement management schemes to protect long-term soilsustainability. Global reduction in agricultural productivity due to soil erosion and degradation,depletion of irrigation water supplies, and competing land uses is putting a squeeze on capacityto meet increasing world-wide demand for food and fiber. Couple this with the economicchallenges posed by the high cost of fossil fuels and derived products, such as fertilizers, andstruggling farm economies, and it becomes clear that the continued success of agriculturalsystems is dependent upon our ability to maintain soil health and manage water resourcesthrough holistic approaches in conservation planning.In order to benefit the poor more directly, a Farm Resource Management (FRM) approachmust be applicable under the highly heterogeneous and diverse conditions in which smallholderslive; it must be environmentally sustainable and based on the use of local and indigenousresources. The emphasis must be on improving whole farming systems at the field or watershedlevel rather than specific commodities. Technological generation must be demand-driven, whichAfghanistan Water, Agriculture and Technology Transfer Program 1
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