Curriculum (PDF) - Biovision

Week 3
Topic Duration What you need for this lesson
1 Gapping Napier 30 MInutes Napier grass cuttings/root splits, hoe/stick,
2 Agro Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) 1 hour
Push-pull manual, pen and paper, markers,
flip charts
3 Group Assessment 2 hours 3 minutes
Introduction
Napier grass stem cuttings take two weeks
to sprout while the root splits can start
sprouting in one week. Sometimes some
of the planted Napier grass cuttings or root
splits fail to sprout. Therefore, you need to
gap at this stage so that later in the season
there is enough Napier grass to protect
your maize crop against stemborers, and
to produce more fodder for your livestock.
Topic 1: Gapping Napier
Learning objectives
On completion of this topic, participants
will be able to understand and explain the
importance and timing of gapping Napier
grass.
Learning activities
Facilitator-led introduction on the
importance and time of gapping
Practical activities on gapping of Napier
grass
Discussion
Gapping Napier grass
Step 1: Walk along the rows and mark the
gaps where Napier grass has not sprouted.
Step 2: Place a three node cane ensuring two
nodes are well covered with soil. The new
canes should all face the same direction as
those planted earlier.
If you are using root splits, place them into
the holes and cover with soil.
Topic 2: Introduction to
Agroecosystem Analysis
(AESA)
The AESA is a field-based analysis of the
relationships of components observed in
the field such as soil, water, pests and their
relationships. Participants learn to make
regular field observations, analyze problems
and opportunities encountered in the
field and learn to improve decision-making
skills regarding farm management. Participants
thus develop the ability to assess
and analyze problems, adopting a scientific
procedure that consists of observation and
analysis, followed by recommendations.
In this topic participants will learn how to
conduct AESA by visiting the experimental
plots/farms by observing the ecosystem,
including interactions and ecological processes.
They do so by sampling, observing,
recording and making comparison and
analysis of information.This helps them to
take actions based on sound information.
Learning objectives
On completion of this topic participants will
be able to:
Become more aware of the things
and interactions that make up the
ecosystem of their fields- the “agroecosystem”
Develop indicators for monitoring
interactions and processes in the
ecosystem
Use their understanding and
observations of the agro-ecosystem as
a basis for decision making about crop/
livestock management
Push-pull curriculum | 33