farming as a business facilitators’ guide

FARMING AS A BUSINESS Facilitators’ Guide | 1

Youth Economic Empowerment Project (YEEP)“My wealth, My Efforts”

October 2016

FARMING AS A BUSINESSFacilitators’ Guide

2 | FARMING AS A BUSINESS Facilitators’ Guide

FARMING AS A BUSINESSFacilitators’ Guide October 2016


Contents

1.0 About Youth Economic Empowerment Project (YEEP) 5

1.1Introduction 5

1.2 Strategic Approach 5

1.3 Theory of Change 6

2.0 About the manual 8

2.1Introduction 8

2.2 Purpose of the Farming as a Business Guide 8

2.3Knowledgeandskillsneededtofacilitateenterpriseselection 8

2.4Organizationofthemanual 8

Part 1: Farming as a Business (FAAB) Explained 10

1.1Majortypesoffarmingpractices 11

1.2 Major types of agribusiness 11

1.3Benefitsoffarmingasabusiness 11

1.4 Challenges to farming as a business 12

1.5 Key Facts about Farming as a Business 13

1.6 Key Actors and their Roles in FAAB 13

1.7GoalSetting 17

Part2.EnterpriseSelection 18

2.1Howtoselectaprofitableenterprise 18

Part3.ProductionandMarketingPlanning 28

Part4:GoodAgriculturalPractices 32

4.1Onionproductionandmarketing 33

4.2:Tomatoproductionandmarketing 43

4.3:Passionfruitproductionandmarketing 54

4.4PoultryproductivityimprovementthroughprogrammedhatchinginWestNile,Uganda 64

Part5:CollectiveMarketing 99

5.1ConductMarket(WhoistheBuyer)Survey 101

5.2MonitorProductionandCompliance 104

5.3 Bulk and Sell Produce 106

Part6.PerformanceReviewandPlanning 109


1.0 About Youth Economic Empowerment Project (YEEP)

1.1 IntroductionThe Agency For Accelerated Regional Developement (AFARD) in partnership with Center forGovernance and Economic Development (CEGED) secured a 3-year funding (2016-19) from theEuropeanUnioninUgandaforYouthEconomicEmpowermentProject(YEEP)thataimsatpromotingsustainableandgainfulyouthemploymentthroughaholisticandmulti-sectoralapproachthattargetsimprovingyouthemployability,public-privatesectorengagements,andyouthvoiceandspace inlocalgovernance.TheoverallgoalofYEEP is,“to contribute to youth inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction in West Nile region of Uganda through sustainable and gainful employment opportunities”anditsspecificobjectivesareto:

(i) Improvetheemployabilityof2,500ruralyouthorganizedin125youth-ledVSLAs(900youth/45groupsinNebbi;800youth/40groupsinArua;and800youth/40groupsinZombodistricts.

(ii) Promote access to gainful employment opportunities for 2,500 rural youth throughagribusiness,microenterprises,micro-franchise,andformaljobs;

(iii) Strengthen thepolitical capabilitiesof2,500youth toeffectivelydialoguewith local goverment,privatesector,andcivilsocietyactors;and

(iv) BuildthecapacityofthelocalCSOsimplementingtheactionforbetteraccountability,learning,andvisibility.

1.2 Strategic ApproachToattaintheenvisagedresults,YEEPwilluse:

● The VSLAmodel as the entry and growth points for youth to identify like-minded partners,developsavingsculture,accessbusinesscredit,andpursueannualpersonaldevelopmentplans.

● Holisticandpeer-to-peertrainingandmentoringapproachthatwillmixsoftskills(life,financial,entrepreneurship,andleadershipskills)withhard(e.g.vocationalandagribusiness)skills.

● Marketplaceprinciplesasopposedtocharity-drivenmindsetofinterventions.YEEPwillfinanceupto75%ofrequiredstart-upkitcostandsupportagriculturalproductclustersof“onecommodityperyouthgroup”withbothproductionandmarketlinkagesdevelopment.

● Youthvoiceandaccountabilityapproachtostrengthenmulti-stakeholderdialogue. ● MainstreamingofgenderandHIV/AIDStoensurethatmorefemaleyouth(65%)benefit;andHIV/AIDSawarenessisincreased.

● Information and Communication Technology (ICT) e.g. throughmobile money Platform andlinkage banking.

● Knowledgemanagement:Learningthroughmonitoring/reviewsandevaluation,knowledgeandexperiencesharing,dialogueanddocumentationofprocessesandbestpracticeswillbekey;and

● Partnerships and colaboration with BTVETs, private sector enterprises, and other NGOs toenhancecomplementarity.Thiswillalsohelptoharnessscienceandbusinessfordevelopment.


1.3 Theory of ChangeForYEEPtoeffectivelycontributetoyouthinclusiveeconomicgrowthandpovertyreductionthroughsustainableandgainfulemploymentopportunities,theprojectwillbeanchoredonyouth-ledVillageSavingsandLoanAssociations(VSLAs)asayouthtransformationplatform.Atotalof125youth-ledVSLAs(with2,500membersi.e.,20memberseach)willbeformed.AlltheseyouthasastartwillbetrainedinVSLAmethodologytogetherwithtrainingsinentrepreneurship,financialliteracy,life/leadership,andadvocacyskills.

In addition, to ensure that these skills facilitate access to sustainable and gainful employmentopportunities, YEEP will support various formal employment and business for self-employmentpathways as are shown below:

1,625youthwithsupportof250YoungModelFarmers(YMF)willbetrainedandsupportedintoagribusinessrelatedself-employment

625youthwillbe trained inBTVET institutions in locally relevantandprofitableskillsusingnon-formalandDITcertifiedvocationalskillstrainingapproach.Inthisway,125youthwilljoinformalemploymentand500youthwilljoinself-employmentthroughown-accountmicroenterprises;

250youthwillbesupportedintomicro-franchisebusinessmodelasself-employedmicro-franchisee.


Sustainable Reduction in Youth poverty in West Nile

region, Uganda.

Increased use of business management practices

Increased income

Increased use of good agricultural practices

Increased sales

Increased yield or stock

Increased market linkages

Increased cash savings in �nancial institution

Increased ownership of productive assets

Increased empowerment of female youth

Improved self esteem

Increased use of life skills taught

Increased entry into formal employment

opportunities

Increased entry into self- employment

opportunities

Increased number of youth own-account enterprises established

or expanded

Increased access to LG/PSE funds

Improved CSO scale up of youth projectsIncreased assess to

business capitalLGs adopted youth

friendly policies

Youth programming best practices are documented

Increased assess to savings opportunities

Increased participation in local governance

Increased awareness of rights

Strengthened capacity of implementing CSOs

Improved food security and reduction

in child poverty

125 youth-led VSLAs with 2,500 members (65% females) are formed and strengthened with …

Employability skills

Business start-up kits & linkages

Political capabilities

VSLA methodology skills

YEEP Adapted Results Chain


2.0 About the manual

2.1 IntroductionThedesignofYEEPisanchoredonamarket-ledapproach.Itstrivestochangetwooldpracticesof:(a)Farmersproducingandlookingforbuyersbyensuringthatyouthproduceforareadymarket;and (b) Farmers produce any agricultural commodity without due economic diligence especially of povertyreductionpotential.Toachievethis:

1. The Project Steering Committee critically analyzed the regionally viable enterprises forpromotionandidentifiedreliablebuyers;

2. Youth should be organized to effectively participate in collective farming i.e., each youthgroupshouldproducethesamecommodity,atthesametime,intherightquality,andbulkitscommoditysoastoattracttradersinhighlycompetitivemarketsabletoguaranteethemcommerciallyviableandprofitableagribusinesses.

2.2 Purpose of the Farming as a Business GuideThis guide is aimed at overall setting a systematic approach for the targeted youth and theirfacilitatorstofollowinadoptingandpromotingthistransformationintofarmingasabusinesssothattheprocessof ignitingandenduringchangeisorganized.TheProjectOfficersandyouth-ledVSLAmembersneedtohavetherightattitude,knowledge,andskillsto:

a) Selecttherightagro-enterprisefortheirpovertyreductionafteragro-enterpriseanalysis.b) Plantheirenterpriseproductionandmarketinginamarket-orientedmanner.c) Usegoodagriculturalpracticesrequiredtoincreasetheirproductionandproductivity.d) Collectivelyandcompetitivelymarkettheirproduceinbettermarkets.e) Reviewtheirperformanceandplaneveryseasonwithgoal-drivenandprofitorientation.

2.3 Knowledge and skills needed to facilitate enterprise selection ItisimperativethattheFacilitatorhasampleknowledgeandskillsin:

1. ThevariousenterprisesprioritizedbyYEEP(agronomicandlivestockmanagement)2. Howtoconductparticipatoryenterpriseselection.3. How to evaluate enterprise viability before actual selection exercise especially by “gross

margin”and“povertyreductionpotential”analysismethods.

2.4 Organization of the manualToensurecoherenceinthetrainingaswellasincrementaladoptionofgoodagriculturalandbusinesspractices,themanualisdividedinto6mainparts,namely:

Part 1: Farming as a Business (FAAB) Explained:ThispartcoverstheneedforyouthtoappreciatewhyFAAB?Italsodelves intosuccessfactors,challenges, leadership,andtheimportanceofgoalsetting toagripreneurs.Thesession isalso linked to theLife skillsGuidecomponentofPersonalDevelopmentPlan(PDP)thateverytargetedyouthismandatedtosetforthenext2-3yearsofYEEPintervention.


Part 2: Enterprise Selection: This sectioncovershowyouthcan identifyandprioritize therightagribusinessthathastheprofitmarginabletoliftthemoutofpoverty.GiventhatYEEPseekstosupportyouthtomoveoutofextremepoverty,ithasalreadypreselectedhighimpactenterprisesfromwhichtheyouthwillselect.However,theskillsacquiredcanbeusedtoselectanyagroenterprise.

Part 3: Production and Marketing Planning: Thissessioncovershowtoparticipatorilyconductbasicagribusinessplanning. Inastep-by-stepmannerthesectiontakestheyouththroughasimplifiedapproachtoestimatingcostsandbenefitsaswellasorganizingproductionandmarketingactivities.

Part 4: Good Agricultural Practices: This section focuseson thepromotionof goodagriculturalpractices needed to increase productivity (yield per unit of production). It delves, in detail onthe recommended practices for increased production. Emphasis is placed on soil, water andenvironmentalconservation.

Part 5: Collective marketing: This session dwell on how youth can bulk and market their products profitably. It guides on market survey and buyer selection, contracting, simplified bulking, andpaymentofmembers.Given the close linkwithEntrepreneurshipand Life Skills Trainers’Guide,participantsaredrawnbacktousethecorerecordstherein.

Part 6: Performance Review and Planning: In this session, youth are introduced to criticalagribusiness performance indictors that they need to continue tracking to be sure that theirselectedagribusinessesareworthwhile.Thedifferentleadershipsinthegroupsaretaskedtoprovidequantitativedatafromwhichmemberscanovertimeplottrendsoftheirproductionandbenefits.Equally, room isprovided forgroupmembers toparticipatorilydiscusshow theyareperformingandto identifychallengesandsuggestsolutions.Bysodoing it isenvisagedthatyouth-ledVSLAmemberswillgaintrust,cohesion,accountabilityandmemberswillhavevoiceinthemanagementoftheiraffairs.

WorthnotinghereisthattheYEEPmodelisbuiltonCollectiveFarmingwherebyagroupoffarmersfarmthesamecommodityusingcollectiveactionstoaccessinputs,technicalskills,andbettermarkets.

This process entails that Individualfarmers/youthagripreneursorganizethemselvesintoagroupsandagree to:

● Farmthesameagroenterprise/commodity; ● Farmtheselectedcommodityindividuallyaccordingtotheircapacitiesandeconomicgoals; ● Followthesamefarmingseasons,goodagronomic/husbandrypracticesincludingpost-harvestmanagement;

● Sell their commodity together in the same market using same agreed upon buyer and price.

● Either bulk their produce together on the day of selling or store to sell later.

Note that collective farming: ● Must START as early as at enterprise selectionstagethroughtowhentheproduceisofferedtothe buyer.

● Farmer groups MUST not engage in buying and selling of the same produce. It should specialize in only selling the product on behalf of farmers.

● The participation of and expectations frommembersshouldbeagreeduponinadvance.


Part 1: Farming as a Business (FAAB) Explained

Methods:1. Story telling.2. Questionandanswer3. Brainstorming

Objectives:Attheendofthesession,participantsareableto:• Differentiatebetweensubsistencefarmingandfarmingasabusiness• Listatleast5reasonsthathavemadesubsistencefarminglockthemintopoverty• Listatleast5benefitsandchallengesoffarmingasabusiness• State the roes of the key actors in FAAB

Sub- topics:1. Whatissubsistencefarming?2. Whatisfarmingasabusiness?3. Whyissubsistencefarmingassociatedwithpoverty?4. Thebenefitsandchallengesoffarmingasabusiness5. Keydriversoffarmingasabusiness6. Roles of key actors in FAAB

Duration: 60 Minutes

IntroductionIntroduce the session to learners that today we will learn about Farming as a Business and how the approachcanhelpususeagricultureasadecentemploymenttoexitoutofpoverty.Listencarefullyto the story of Ms. Helen and Ms. Mariam.

Story 1:Ms. Helen is 30 years old and is married with three children. She is a subsistence farmer who annually growsbeans,groundnuts,maize,soyabeans,andcassavaandalsorearssomefivechickens.Thisjobshehasbeendoingforthelast15yearsyetherqualityoflifehasnotimprovedatall.Herchildrenhardlygotoschoolbecauseoflackofscholasticmaterials.Sheonlyreliesonlocalherbswhenanyof her family member is sick. Their clothing and housing unit are no good at all. Ms. Helen has no savingstohelpherincaseofanytrouble.

Yet,Ms.Mariamawidowwith6childrenlivesabetterlife.Sheusesfarmingasabusinessapproachandfocusesongrowingcoffeeandbananawithbeansasanintercropandkeepingonly3pigseveryyear.Ms.Mariamearnsincomeeverymarketdayfrombananaandhasthreepeakincomeseasonsfromcoffee(inJuneandDecember)andpiglets(inAugust).Asaresult,shehasapermanenthouse,decentclothing,andcashsavingsboth in the localSACCOandVSLAwhereshe isamember.Allherchildrenstudyinprivateschoolsandwhenanymemberofherfamilyissicktheyusemodernmedicine.

Group work: Divide learners into 3 groups and each group answer the following questions:Fromthestoryabove,asklearners:Group 1:What is the difference betweenMs.Helen engaged in subsistence farming andMs.

Mariamusingfarmingasabusiness(inpracticeandqualityoflife)?Group2:Whatarethebenefitsandchallengesoffarmingasabusiness?Group3:IfyouweretojoinMs.Mariaminfarmingasabusiness,whatwouldyoubekeenon?

Emphasize the following:


1.1 Major types of farming practices ● Subsistencefarming:Isalow-input,low-riskandlowreturnfarmingpracticewherefarmers:

○ Useindigenousknowledgeandtechnologies; ○ Earnlowyieldsperunitofproductionused; ○ Usetheirharvestmainlyforfoodconsumption; ○ Sellonlysmallsurplusyieldforincome;and ○ Workinisolationofeachotherrelyingonindividualfarmerpriority.

NB: In subsistence farming income is always too low to afford a decent living because Lowyield=limitedfood+lowincome=limitedassets+lowsavings=persistentpoverty(poorqualityoflife:Clothing,Housing;Status;Abilitytousemodernmedicalfacilities;Abilitytosend/retain children in school)

● Commercialfarmingistheoppositeofsubsistencefarming.Itishigh-inputs,high-risk,andhighreturnfarmingpracticewherefarmersareprofit-oriented.Theyfocuson:

○ Large-scaleproduction(largelandsizesofonecropenterprise,forinstance) ○ Advancetechnologiesandinnovationsthanhumanlabour(e.g,tractors);and ○ Marketforcesofdemandandsupplytoachievehighprofits.

● Farmingasabusinessisahybridpractice/approachthatusesthe“profitthinkingofcommercialfarming” as the driving force for the small-scale subsistence farmers. It is an approach that“triggers farmers’ mindset and attitude to engage in farming with business attitude rightfromplanning,productionandmarketing.Italsopromotescollectiveactionbyfarmergroups(producergroups) inordertoattainaggregationofoutputsthatareattractivetothemarket.Typically it is about agribusiness.

○ Businessreferstotheeconomicactivityofproducingorsellingofgoodsorservicesforprofit. ○ Profit(P)occurswhentheincome(I)generatedisgreaterthanexpenses(E)incurred(P=I>E) ○ Noprofitoccurswhenincomesequalsexpenses(P≠I=E). ○ Loss (L)occurswhen income is less thanexpenses (L= I<E).When this statepersists, it isadvisablethatyouclosedownthebusinessassoonaspossible.

1.2 Major types of agribusinessAgribusiness is a farming practice that is bigger than just tilling the land or keeping animals. Itlooksatfarmingfroma“valuechain”lens.Thatis,itlooksatemploymentandincomegeneratingopportunitiesofagivenagriculturalenterprisefromtheinputsuppliertotheconsumers.Asaresult,agribusinessprovidesjobandincomeopportunitiesinagricultureintheformsof:

● Inputtraderswhosellseeds,hoes,fertilizers,etc.; ● Farmerwhoproduceandselltotradersorconsumers; ● Traderswhobuyproducefromfarmersandselldirectlytoconsumersoraddvalueandsell; ● Transporterswhoprovidetransportservicestoproducersandbuyers;and ● Othersthatincludemoneylending,extensionservicesatafee,etc.


1.3 Benefits of farming as a business

To the community •Employment opportunity•Easy access to goods and services

• Improvedlocalmarkets• Inspirationtoalsostarta

business To the Government• Increased taxes •Economic growth •Limitedinsecurity

To the business person • IncreasedincomeBetterlife(assets,services)Improvedsocialstatusreductionondependency

•Flexibleworktime•Unlimited earning

opportunity•Freedom to make own

decisions•Ability to apply unique skills,talents

•Be Your own boss.

1.4 Challenges to farming as a businessArecentactionresearchthatwasconductedbySNV,AFARDandCEGEDfoundoutthatyoutharedemotivatedtojoinagriculturalemploymentbythefactorsshowninthefigurebelow.

Figure 2: Factors that demotivate youth uptake of agriculture employment Figure 2: Factors that demotivate youth uptake of agriculture employment

Lack of inputs, 75%

Unfavourable climate, 75%

Limited market, 68%

Low income, 63%

Long gestation period, 45%

Lack of modern agronomic skills, 40%

Lack of funds for better farming, 58%

Destruction by animals, 75%

Multiple benefits of

farming as a business.


1.5 Key Facts about Farming as a BusinessFarmingasaBusinessbasicallymeans“DoingBusinessthroughFarming.”Toachievethis,anyfarmerintending to or is engaged in farming as a business MUST focus on knowing and adhering to the following:

The Right enterprise • The product that is highly demanded in the market• The actors (input dealers, buyers, and other supporters)

The Right standards • The units of measurement used (e.g., acres of land [4,000m2]; weights used in the market e.g., Kgs, Liters, etc.)

• The quality preferred in the market (e.g., low moisture content; no rotting; spotless tomato; etc.]

Profit maximization • The reduction of cost of production • Increasing yield per unit of production (e.g., use of improved technologies –

seeds, fertilizers, etc.)• Higher prices by accessing better paying market

Risk management • Mitigating all factors that cause business loss e.g., correct timing of planting, harvesting, and selling; insurance; etc.

1.6 Key Actors and their Roles in FAAB GiventhatYEEPseekstobuildself-sustainingyouthgroups,FAABwillbepromotedwithintheexistingyouth-ledVSLAs.Assuch,theprimaryactorswillbedrawnfromwithinthegroupmembership.TheywillbeequippedwiththerightskillsandwillbetechnicallysupportedbytheProjectOfficersonadeclining responsibility basis.The main actors for FAAB will be:

a) The Executive Committee: Asalreadyestablishedstructure,thisorganwithinthegroupwillalsoprovidethemarketing

committeefunctions.Tonoteseriouslyisthatgiventhevitalroleofmarketing,therolesofMarketingCommittee thatMUSThave bothmales and females, requires peoplewith thefollowingcharacteristics:1. Able to read and write so are to keep records2. Readytoworklongerforthebenefitofthegroup3. Havehighnegotiationskills4. Trusted and fraud free5. Abletomotivateyouthstoparticipate

b) Young Model Farmers (YMFs): Themarketdemandsqualityproductsintherightvolume.Thatmanyyouthlackagricultural

vocationalskills,therewillbeneedforhands-ontrainingconductedbytheirpeers.Therefore,two YMFs (1 male and 1 female) will be elected from among the group members to ensure increased agricultural productivity through the provision of relevant, timely, and qualityproductionextensionadvicetogroupmembers.Evidenceofthisworkwillaccruefrom;

(i) Adoptionofgoodagronomicandagribusinesspractices;

(ii) Highvolumeofqualityproduceperunitareaand

(iii) Improvedbusinessgrowth,increasedincome,assetaccumulation,andbetterlife.

Thus, the primary roles of YMFs wll be to provide hands-on training andmentorship forimprovedagriculturalproductivityaswelltocoordinatetheVSLAwithprojectmanagementandtheexecutivecommittees.


Selection process/criteria for YMFsThe adoption of farmer-to-farmer (peer-learning) extension approach as a sustainable way ofensuring self-reliance requires motivated change agents in the beneficiary groups who can besupportedtogainaddedcompetencies–content,methodology,andorganization–so that theyareabletotrainandmentorbetteradoptionofgoodagronomicandagribusinesspractices(GAAP).Thus,theidentificationofthesechangeagentswillbebasedontheirtrackrecordsofdemonstratedperformance in the selectedenterpriseespeciallywith regard to theability to innovate,diffuse,andimpactknowledge.Moreso,aProductClusterApproachrequiresyouthtotakeadvantageoftheirnumberstoaggregatetheirproduct(bulking)inordertosecurepremiummarkets(collectivemarketing)withtheaimofensuringthatforemosttheyproducewhatbuyerswantinmannersthatbenefitsthemasfarmers.

Selection Process

Given the critical roles and responsibilities YMFswill play in YEEP, their careful selectionwill beinevitable.Inthiscase,theYouthVSLAtogetherwiththeProjectOfficerandCommunityleaderswillbeinvolvedinwhoshouldbeselectedasaYMF.

ItshouldbenotedthattheYFMselectionexerciseMUSTbeconductedonthesamedaytheVSLAselects their enterprise.

1. TheCBFwillmobilizetheVSLAmembersfortheEnterpriseandYMFselectionday.InvitationwillbeextendedtothePO,parentsandcommunityleaderstoo.

2. Onthatday,theCBTwillintroducetheobjectiveofthemeeting(SelectionofEnterpriseandYMFs)andbriefthegatheringontherolesandresponsibilitiesaswellasthequalitiesofaYMF.

3. OncetheVSLAhasselectedtheircorebusinessagro-enterprise,thenYMFselectionprocesswill commence. This will be done to ensure that the YMFs are well aligned to the enterprise to be promoted.

4. VSLAmemberswillbegiventheopportunitytoproposecandidatestothefieldstaffbasedonthe stated criteria. Three to Six members will be proposed.

5. Theproposedmemberswillberequestedtoeitheracceptorrejectthenomination.Foreveryrejectednomination,anothernamewillbeproposed.

6. Allthosewhowerenominatedandacceptedsuchnominationswillberequestedtostepasidefromthemeetingtoallowdeliberationbythememberspresentinthemeeting.

7. BoththeVSLAmembersandtheinvitedcommunitymemberswillholddiscussionsoneachcandidate.

8. Afteranexhaustivediscussion,theVSLAmemberswillbehandedovertheopportunityandrightstodemocraticallyvotetheirpreferredYMFs(1maleand1female).

9. Afterthevoting,thecandidateswillbecalledbackandtheresultswillbedeclared.

Qualities of a YMF

AgoodYMFshouldhavethefollowingqualities–S/hehas: ● Basicunderstandingofthelocalproductioncontext; ● Exemplarypastperformanceinfarmingasabusinessespeciallyinthechosenenterprise; ● Abilitytocommunicateeffectivelytootherfarmers; ● Evidenceofhardworksuchasfarmsize,goodmarketidentification; ● Enthusiasmtolearnnewknowledgeandtechnologies; ● Thevestedtrustofmembersandintegrityinthecommunityandamongpeers;


● PermanentresidenceshipintheVSLAvillage; ● BasicliteracyandnumeracyskillsinEnglishandthecommonlocallanguage; ● Willingnessandtimetoshareknowledge,skillsandinnovationswithothers; ● Track records of honesty in handling records and public funds. ● Goodleadershipskillsandattributes. ● Willingness to volunteer and serve his/her group without pay (given that this is not an

employment). ● Abilitytomobilizegroupmembersforapro-activechange. ● Must be a group member

Factors monitored to assess ymf performance1. PersonalapplicationofGAAPandbusinessexpansiontrends2. Technologyadoptionratesamonghis/hergroupmembers3. Groupperformancestatusi.e.,enterpriseproductionandproductivityrates


Clarifying stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities TheagribusinessdevelopmentunderYEEPwillinvolveatleast5criticalstakeholders,namely:1)Theyouthgroups;2)TheExecutive-cum-MarketingCommittee;3)Buyers;4)Projectstaffand5)YoungModelFarmers(YMFs).Thesedifferentactorswillexecutethefollowingrolesandresponsibilities:

1. Youth groups • ApprovestheirExecutiveCommitteetoplayMarketingCommitteeroles• Select the enterprise they want to promote• Plansandproducethecommodityusingrecommendedpractices• Procures inputs together to ensure consistency• Ensure members adhere to good quality standards for the produce• Selectsthebestbuyerusingmarketinformationreport• Bulks members produce for sale• Ensures all members are paid for their produce

2. Executive-cum-Marketing Committee

• TogetherwithYMFspreparesseasonalmarketingplan• TogetherwithYMFsmonitorsandestimatesproduction• Collectsmarketinformation(buyersandprices)• Informsmembersaboutqualitystandardsfordifferentmarkets• Negotiatestransactionswithbuyersonbehalfofthegroup(pricesandpaymentterms)• Receivespaymentsfrombuyers• Effectspaymentstomembers• Providesreportstoallmembersonmarkettrends/sales• Keepproperupdatedrecords–buyers,bulking,sales,etc.

3. The Buyers:

• Providesinformationaboutquantityandqualityneeded• Negotiatesbuyingpriceandsignsacontractwiththegroup• Sets buying dates• Collects produce from bulking centers• Pays for produce as agreed

4. Project Staffs

(TheProjectManagerandProjectOfficers)• Sensitizethefarmergroupsaboutcollectivefarmingandmarketing• Assistthefarmergroupstoelectmarketingcommittees• Trainthemarketingcommitteesandfarmergroups• Disseminateinformationaboutpotentialbuyerstothemarketingcommittees• Disseminatepriceinformationtothemarketingcommittees(asasupplementtotheradiodissemination)• Advisethemarketingcommitteesandfollow-upuponthemarketingactivities• Planandoverseeimplementationofmarketingactivities• Compileandanalyzeproductiondatafromthefarmergroups• Identifypotentialbuyersandprocessorsandcollectinformationaboutwhattheydemand• Organizecollectionanddisseminationofpriceinformation• Coordinatemarketingactivitieswithotherstakeholders• Reportaboutproductionandmarketingplansandresults

5. Young Model Farmers (YMFs)• Together with executive-cum- marketing committees prepare seasonal marketing plans• Together with executive-cum-marketing committees monitor and estimate production• Provide hands on training and mentorship for improved agricultural productivity• Coordinate the VSLA with project management and executive committees


1.7 Goal SettingRefertoPart2(Session3)oftheEntrepreneurshipandLifeSkillsTrainers’Guide.Incasetheyouthhavealreadycompletedthatsession,recapwiththem:

● Whatareyoureconomicgoals–financialtargets? ● Whatrolewillagribusinessplayintheachievementofyourgoal?

Reflection/Session Evaluation Whathaveyoulearnttodaythatwillhelpyouimproveonyourmindsettowardagriculture?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Part 2. Enterprise Selection MethodsLecture, question and answer, group work and take home work

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareableto:• Identifyaprofitableagribusiness• Prioritizeandselecttheirtopmostagribusinesses

Sub topics:1.Howtoidentifyagribusinessopportunities2.Howtoprioritizeprofitableagribusiness

Duration90 minutes

IntroductionIntroducethesessiontolearnersthattodaywewilllearnhowtoselectandprioritizeaprofitableagroenterprisesothatasagroupweareabletoknow,fromtodayonwards,whatagroenterpriseYEEP will support us in.

Tostarttheprocess,recapwhatthekeylearningandactionswerefromsession1:IntroductiontoFarming as a business.

Points to Emphasize 1. Only business farmers who are also called agripreneurs conduct farming as a business. Recap

usingtheEntrepreneurshipandLifeSkillsManual,onwhatthequalitiesofanentrepreneurare.2. Because farming as a business is concernedwith profits for poverty reduction, only high

impact enterprises are preferred to be supported by YEEP3. YEEPwillsupporteachyouthVSLAwithonlyONEenterpriseintheentire3-yearperiod.4. Selectingsuchhighprofitandhighimpactenterpriserequiresattentionbecause:

○ Factorsofproductionarescarceandcostlytheymustbeutilizedsparinglyandwisely ○ Competitionintheprivatesectorisstiffandloserswillremaininpovertyforever ○ Everyenterprisehasentrybarrierse.g.,specializedskills,soil,weather,marketregulations,etc. ○ Yourinvestmentchoicedeterminesyourstayinorexitfrompoverty.Wrongdecisionscome

at a cost!2.1 How to select a profitable enterprise

● Ask learners engaged in farming as a business to share with members how they were able to identifyandprioritizetheiragroenterprises.

● ListtheenterprisesthatYEEPwillpromoteandexplainwhytheywereselected–lowcost,highreturns,mediumrisks,commonskills,etc.

● TakethelearnersthroughtheprioritizationofONE of the YEEP preferred enterprises for their engagement.

Informlearnersthatwewillusea2-methodapproachtoselectourpriorityenterprise.Thefirstpartofanalysiswillbebasedonsocio-environmentalanalysisof theenterprise(seeselectioncriteriabelow). The second part does the enterprise financial analysis to demonstrate how viable theselected enterprises are.


A: Socio-environmental analysis methodGiventhatYEEPhasprioritized4enterprisesonly,atthisstagethegroupwillberequiredtoselectonly2enterprisesthatwillbefurtheranalyzed.Todoso,apreference ranking method will be used.

● Explainallthe10CoreFactorsthatYEEPprefersinitsenterpriseselection. ● Giveeachparticipantpresent40seeds/sticks/Stones ● Askeachoneofthemtoputoneunitpercriteriafortheenterpriseofher/hischoice. ● Count and record the number of stones for each Core factor for each enterprise. ● Add the total score for each enterprise. ● Declaretothememberstheirtop2enterprisesthatreceivedhighscoreforthenextanalysis. ● NotethatthisformMUSTbesubmittedtotheProjectManagerforfiling.

YEEP Enterprise Selection Criteria

Core Factors Pointer Tomato Onions Passion fruits

Local poultry

1. Market potential Thehigherthelocal/regionalmarketdemandandpricestabilitythebetter

2. Investment cost The lower the cost of investment/startupcapitalrequiredthebetter

3. Agro-ecological conditions

The more suitable to local environment–soil,rainfall,etc.–toanenterprisesisthebetter

4. Available resources The smaller the land sizeand start-up costs required for high return the better

5. InclusivityThe more the enterprise has gender and vulnerable youth inclusion thebetter

6. Experience with the enterprise

The more experienced the youth are intheenterprisethebetter

7. Gestation period Theshortertimetoproducereturns(quickreturnperiod)thebetter.

8. Risks The lower the risks – weather,diseases,fire,theft,wildanimalsthebetter

9. Scalability The higher the expected profit forexpansionthebetter

10. Collectivity The easier it is to bulk the produce andsellthebetter

TOTAL SCORE


Points of emphasis

Agro-ecological conditions:• Soils–Arethesoilstypessupportiveoftheenterpriseandaretheyfertiletosustainyieldincrease?• Rainfall – Is the amount adequate to support the enterprise? Is it reliable?Orwill irrigationbe

useable due to a nearby water source?• Climate–Istheweatherfavorableorthereareerraticchanges?

Local resources:• Availabilityoflandiskey.Thiscanbeownedorhired• Availability of labour – family/hired is critical. But labour ofwomen and children shouldnot be

exploited• Otheragro-inputsonthemarketlikeseeds,fertilizers,chemicals,etc.iscritical

Risks: • Small land sizes that do not allow enterprise expansion• Weatherchangesareerratictosupportbusiness• Highperishabilitymaycreatemarketingpressure• Poor quality of inputs on the market reduces yield• Highpricefluctuationsmakesreturnsunstable• Fewandsmallcapacitybuyersmeansstockoverload

B: Financial analysis method ● Printandcarryalongablanktemplateforeachoftheenterprisefinancialanalysissheet(asis

used in the template below). ● Usingthe2topmostenterprises,conducttheenterprisefinancialanalysisusingtheguidebelowforconductingprofitabilityanalysisandpovertyreductionpotentialanalysis.

● Fillinthetemplateafterallthefigureshavebeenagreedupon.Notethefollowing: ○ Oftenfarmersstartbyexpectingprojectsupportsotheyinflateinputcost.TelltheyouththatthisisabouttheirownexpensesbecauseYEEPwillonlyprovidelearninginputs.

○ Fewfarmershavefullknowledgeofinputsrequiredforgoodagriculturalproduction.DOnotrelyontheinputlistoffarmersalone.Asatechnicalperson,includewhatcouldhavebeenmissedoutafterexplainingwhysuchinputsareneeded.

○ Manytimesfarmersdonotdomarketsurvey.Relyoncrediblesourcesofinformatione.g.,thoseproducingthecommodity;localgovernmentofficials;localinputsuppliers;etc.

○ Pricesandyieldsvaryfromoneplacetoanother.Securethe“potentialyielddata”sothattheyouthcanknowthegapbetweenanycurrentyieldandwhattheycanharvestoncetheyadoptgoodagriculturalpractices.

○ ThistemplateMUSTalsobesubmittedtotheProjectManagerforfiling. ● Finally,theenterprisefinancialanalysisshouldbeabletomakeclear:

○ Alltherequiredproductioninputs; ○ Estimatetherequiredproductioncostinorderfortheyouthto:

▪ Knowhowcheaporexpensivetheenterpriseis ▪ Identifywhatresourcestheyhaveorcanborrow ▪ Identifywhatactivitiestheycandothemselves ▪ Decidewhatinputstheymayacquirewithtimee.g.,manywilllistgumboots,spraypumps,etc.Thiswillhelpthemtoknowthe“basicstart-upinputsandcost.”

○ Estimatethesalesreturns/revenueinorderthattheyouthstartdiscussing: ○ Whichmarket/buyerisbettertosellto ○ Whatpricecanmakethemrealizebetterprofitswhilemaintainingcompetitiveness ○ Whyconductingregularmarketsurveyisimportant ○ Whenitisprofitabletoselltheirproduce(tohoardornot)


○ Currentmarketsuitabilityintermsofbreakevenpriceversusprevailingandaveragemarketprice.Oftenmanyyouthwanttocompetewithretailtradersjustbecausethemarketpriceishigherthanwhatthetradersofferthem.Thisisbecausetheydonotunderstandmarketingcosts and risks.

○ Therelationshipbetweenanagroenterpriseandpovertyreduction.YEEPisstrivingtoseetheyouthoutofextremepoverty.

Profitability AnalysisThisisamethodusedtotestwhetherornotanagroenterpriseisprofitabletoinvestin.Thesimpledecisionisarrivedatwhentheincomeearnedisgreaterthanthecostincurred.

Thesimplemethodofconductingaprofitabilityanalysisisdescribedbelow.ItshouldbenotedthatifthelearnersdonotknowthedetailsofinputsandcostsofinputstheProjectOfficershouldconsultwithlocalactors–parents,traders,suppliers,governmentofficialsofthelocality.

A: Estimating Production and marketing costi) Listallproductionandmarketing inputs thatare required to run theenterprisee.g. Land,

labour, farm tools, seeds, poles, agro-chemicals, advisory/technical services, and bags,transport,etc.

ii) Quantifyallinputsthatarelistedintherightamountneeded.iii) Establish the unit cost (price) of each inputiv) Estimatethetotalcostsofproductionfortheenterprisebymultiplyingthetotalquantityof

inputs by the cost price of each input.

B: Estimating sales revenuei) Estimatethetotalyieldoftheenterprise.ii) Establishtheaveragemarketpriceperunitofyield(e.g.bycomparingpricesfor2seasons).iii) Estimatethesalesrevenuebymultiplyingyieldbytheaveragemarketpriceperunitofoutput.

C: Estimating gross margini) Subtractthetotalcostsfromsalesrevenue.

Decision: A profitable agroenterprise has a positive gross margin. The amount must also bereasonable.Forinstance,anenterprisethatyieldsUGX100,000islessattractivecomparedtoonewithareturnworthUGX5M.

Poverty reduction potential AnalysisThisisamethodusedtotestwhetherornotanagroenterprisewillablyliftafarmeroutofextremepoverty.The inclusionof thismethod isbecause farmershavebeenengaged inmanyprofitableenterprisesbutwithoutbeingabletoexitextremepoverty.Thesubjectivityof“reasonableamountofprofit”makesitdifficulttojudgebetween2enterprises.InYEEPweusethismethodtoensurethatonlyhighimpactenterprisesthatareabletoyieldsurplusincomeabovewhatafamilyneedstoliveattheinternationalpovertylinearepromoted.


This analysis is conducted as follows:

1. Estimatetheaveragenumberofpeoplewhoaredependentontheyouth/farmer;

2. Computetheirannualcostoflivingat$1.90internationalpovertyline

Averagenumberof people in the

target householdX 365 days in

a year X$1.90poverty

lineX

UGX3,400current exchange

rate per dollar=

Annual household povertyline

income

3. Estimatetheannualincomefromtheagroenterprise

Gross margin X Numberofseasonsofproductioninayear = Annual enterprise income

4. Deduct thecostof living fromtheannual incomeandanysurplus incomemeans that theenterprisewillenabletheyouthandhis/herhouseholdtoliveabovethe$1.90povertyline.

Annual enterprise income - Annualhouseholdpovertylineincome = Surplus/Deficit

Decision:Foranenterprisewithasurplusincome,selectforYEEPsupport

Final Enterprise Selection DecisionOncetheanalysisiscomplete,fillintheformbelowindicatingthepriorityenterpriseforthegroup

Indicators Tomato Onions Passion fruits Local poultry

RateofreturnorProfitability

Abilitytoreduceextremepoverty($1.90)


Group YEEP Enterprise Prioritization Form

District: Sub county Parish Village Date

Name of GroupMembers Present Priority Enter-

prise SelectedMales Females Total

Name and signature of Project Officer

Name & Signature of YMF Name & Signature of Chairman

Core Factors PointerTomato Onions Passion

fruitsLocal

poultry

Scores

Market potential

Thehigherthelocal/regionalmarketdemandandpricestabilitythebetter

Investment cost

Thelowerthecostofinvestment/startupcapitalrequiredthebetter

Agro-ecological conditions

Themoresuitabletolocalenvironment–soil,rainfall,etc.–toanenterprisesisthebetter

Available resources

Thesmallerthelandsizeandstart-upcostsrequiredforhighreturnthebetter

Inclusivity The more the enterprise has gender and vulnerableyouthinclusionthebetter

Experience with the enterprise

The more experienced the youth are in the enterprisethebetter

Gestation period

Theshortertimetoproducereturns(quickreturnperiod)thebetter.

Risks Thelowertherisks–weather,diseases,fire,theft,wildanimalsthebetter

Scalability Thehighertheexpectedprofitforexpansionthebetter

Collectivity The easier it is to bulk the produce and sell thebetter

TOTAL SCORE

Financial values

Rate of return or Profitability

Thehighertheprofitmarginthebetter

Ability to reduce extreme poverty ($1.90)

This is our goal and the key gap many projectsfocusingonpositivemarginshavehad.Netprofitmustbe>UGX9.8millionperyearforittoliftayouthhouseholdof4peopleabovethe$1,90povertyline


Analysis Template: Onions

Plant population 1acreofland=40metersX100meters=4,000m2Spacing=30cmX15cmTherefore:40mX100cm=4,000cm/15cm=226plantsinarow100mX100cm=10,000cm/30cm=333rows333rowsX226plants=88,578plantsin1acre

Yield Each plant yields 1 bulb200bulbs=1basin6basins=1bag1acre=73bags

Sales returns Salesprice/bag=UGX180,000Sales=YieldXsalesprice=73bagsXUGX180,000=UGX13,140,000

Production cycle Nurseryperiod[=2months]+gardenperiod[3months]=5monthsAnnualseasonalproduction=2seasons

Production cost Quantity Unit cost TotalSeeds (250g) 5 50,000 250,000Nurserybedmanagement 2 120,000 240,000Landpreparation 2 80,000 160,000Planting 10 10,000 100,000Weedcontrol 10 8,000 80,000Pest control 2 100,000 200,000Harvesting 10 5,000 50,000Transportationtostore 50 2,000 100,000Subtotalforproduction 1,180,000Packaging materials in bags 50 2,000 60,000Laborforpackaging 50 500 25,000Marketsearch/information 5 30,000 150,000Transport to market 50 50,000 250,000Subtotalformarketing 485,000Total Investment cost 1,665,000

Break-even price (costs/yield) 22,808

Profit (sales – costs) 11,475,000

Monthly income (Profit/production cycle) 2,295,000

Estimated annual income (Profit X production seasons) 22,950,000

Amount required at $1.90/person per year(=Numberofpeople[4]X$1.90X356daysXUGX3,400[currentexchangerate])

9,431,600

Poverty reduction potential YES: Yields surplus income


Tomato

Plant population 1acreofland=40metersX100meters=4,000m2Spacing=60centimetersX45centimetersTherefore: 40meters=40cmX100cm=4,000cm/45cm=88plantsinarow100meters=100cmX100cm=10,000cm/65cm=166plantswithinarow88plantsrowsX166plants=14,608plantsin1acre

Yield Eachplantyieldsin3monthsat10fruitseach=1Kgs14,608plantsX10fruits=14,608Kgs

Sales returns Salesprice/Kg=UGX1,000Sales=YieldXsalesprice=14,608KgsXUGX1,000=UGX14,608,000

Production cycle Gestationperiod=1months+Yieldperiod=4monthsAnnualproductionseasons=2seasons

Production cost Quantity Unit cost TotalSeeds (50g) 2 20,000 40,000Pesticides,fungicidesandfertilizer 1 600,000 600,000Landpreparation 2 180,000 360,000Transplanting 1 120,000 120,000Weeding 2 120,000 240,000Laborforpruning 10 5,000 50,000Laborpegging 10 5,000 50,000Labourforharvesting 30 5,000 150,000Transport to store per box 24 2,000 48,000Subtotalforproduction 1,658,000MarketingcostPackaging material in boxes 24 10,000 240,000Marketsearch/information 2 30,000 60,000Transport to market 24 3,000 72,000Subtotalformarketing 372,000Total Investment cost 2,030,000

Break-even price (costs/yield) 139

Profit (sales – costs) 12,578,000

Monthly income (Profit/production cycle) 3,144,500

Estimated annual income (Profit X production seasons)

Amount required at $1.90/person per year(=Numberofpeople[4]X$1.90X356daysXUGX3,400[currentexchangerate])

9,431,600

Poverty reduction potential YES: Yields surplus income


Passion Fruits

Plant population 1acreofland=40metersX100meters=4,000m2Spacing=2metersX3metersTherefore:40meters/2meters=20plantsinarow100meters/3meters=33rows33rowsX20plants=660plantsin1acre

Yield Each plant yields in 7 months 17.5 Kgs660plantsX17.5Kgs=11,550Kgs

Sales returns Salesprice/Kg=UGX4,000Sales=YieldXsalesprice=11,500KgsXUGX4,000=UGX46,200,000

Production cycle Gestationperiod=7months;Yieldperiod=7months=14monthsAnnualseasonalproduction=1season

Production costs Quantity Unit cost TotalSeedlings 660 1,000 660,000

Pesticides,fungicidesandfertilizer 1 500,000 500,000

Pegs for trellis 1,000 1,000 1,000,000

Stratsforsupportingtrellis 800 500 400,000

Landpreparation(firstploughing) 1 100,000 100,000

Sisal strings 80 1,000 80,000

Oxen hire for land opening 1 60,000 60,000

Laborfortrellis 10 4,000 40,000

Laborfordiggingholes 660 500 330,000

Laborfortransplanting 10 5000 50,000

Laborforthinning/weeding 100 5,000 500,000

Labor/materialsforwatering 1 105,000 105,000

Laborforpruning 10 10,000 100,000

Laborforspraying 14 5,000 70,000

Laborforharvesting 35 5,000 175,000

Transport to store per bag 100 2,000 200,000

Subtotalforproduction 4,370,000

Marketing

Packaging materials in bags 100 1,000 100,000

Laborforpackaging 100 500 50,000

Marketsearch/information 7 30,000 210,000

Transport to market 100 3,000 300,000

Subtotalformarketing 660,000

Totalinvestmentcost 5,030,000

Break-evenprice(costs/yield) 437

Profit(sales–costs) 41,170,000

Monthlyincome(Profit/productioncycle) 2,940,714

Estimatedannualincome(ProfitXproductionseason) 41,170,000

Amountrequiredat$1.90/personperyear(=Numberofpeople[4]X$1.90X356daysXUGX3,400[currentexchangerate])

9,431,600

Povertyreductionpotential YES: Yields surplus income


Local Poultry Under Programmed Hatching

Start-up population 5 birds (1 cock : 4 hens) Yield Every2monthsforlaying(Eachbirdlayingandhatchingatleast10eggs/chicks)

Cycle1=4birdsX10chickseach=40birdsCycle2=30birdsX10chickseach=300birdsCycle3=50birdsX10chickseach=500birdsTotal=840birds

Sales returns Salesprice/bird=UGX20,000Sales=YieldXsalesprice=840birdsXUGX20,000=UGX16,800,000

Production cycle Gestationperiod=4runningmonthsAnnualseasonalproduction=3harvests

Production costs Quantity Unit cost TotalStart-upstock 5 15,000 75,000Housing 1 100,000 100,000Vaccines 6 12,000 72,000Transportofvaccines 6 20,000 120,000Feeding (Supplementary) 925 8,000 7,400,000Watertrough 10 60,000 600,000Feed through 50 10,000 500,000Treatment 10 10,000 100,000

Laborforfeeding 12 30,000 360,000Subtotal for production 9,327,000Marketing Market search /information 7 30,000 210,000Transport to market 840 1,000 840,000Subtotal for marketing 1,050,000Total investment cost 10,377,000

Break-even price (costs/yield) 12,354Profit (sales – costs) 6,423,000Estimated annual income (Profit X production season) 6,423,000Amount required at $1.90/person per year (=Number of people [4] X $1.90 X 356 days X UGX 3,400 [current exchange rate])

9,431,600

Poverty reduction potential No in year 1 but YES from

year 2 onwards


Part 3. Production and Marketing Planning

MethodsLecture,questionandanswer,group work and take home work

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareableto:ListalltheinputstheyneedforproductionCalculatetheirproductionandmarketingcostsfromagivenunitofproductionState how much net income they will likely earn at the end of the season

Sub topics:How to plan an agribusiness

Duration60 minutes

IntroductionRecap with learners what they learned from the last session.

Introduce the session that today we will learn how to plan the agribusiness of the agroenterprise the group selected.

TheYoungModelFarmers(YMF)togetherwiththeMarketingCommitteeshouldleadthisprocess.TheroleoftheProjectOfficerisonlytobackstoptheprocess.

Procedure:a) Inviteallgroupmemberstoashortmeetingduringwhichyou:

▪ Brief them on the need to plan for the upcoming season. ▪ Requesteverymembertothinkthroughher/hisEconomicGoalandhowtheagribusinesswillhelpachievethatgoal.

▪ Formarriedmembers,encouragethemtoplantogetherwiththeirspousessoastobenefitfromlabourpooling,sharedvoiceandownership,etc.

▪ Thensetadatewhentheplanningmeetingwillbeheld.

b) Tomakeworkeasier,calculatethefollowingpriortothescheduledmeetingbutreferringtotheenterpriseselectionanalysissheetusedduringtheenterpriseselectionmeeting:

▪ Howmuchitwillcosttoproduceaunitoftheproduct.Forinstance,howmuchwould¼,½,¾,and1or2acresofpassionfruit,onion,andtomatoproductioncost?

▪ Howmuchamembercanearnfromtheaboveunitsintermsofyieldsandtheprevailingmarket price?

c) Onthedayoftheplanningmeeting(usethetemplatebelowtofillintheinformation): ▪ Askeachmembertoindicatehowmuchacres/birdss/heplannedtoplant/rear ▪ Usingcomputationsabove,fillinthevariouscolumnswithstandardunits(e.g.,kilograms,basins,bags,etc.)

▪ Ensure that people change their targets because the net income may present many memberswiththeneedtoincreaseordecreasetheiracre/birdtargets.

▪ Dothecomputationparticipatorilysothatallmembersarefullyengaged.

d) Oncetheoverallcomputationisfinished,sumthevarioustotalstoindicatewhatprojectedproduction,investment,andreturnswillbeintheseason(allotherthingsbeingconstant).Atthispointitisimportanttoemphasizetomembersthattheyshouldsticktotheirtargets.


e) Afterthecompletionof(d)above,itwillbetimetoplanforthedetailedactivitiesthatwillbeundertakentoachievethesettargets.Thiswillinclude:

▪ Listingthealltherecommendedproductionpracticesoractivities(seemanualongoodhusbandrypractices.

▪ Settingthetimelinewithinwhicheverymembershouldaccomplisheachactivity.Doingsowillrequireknowingtheenterprisecalendaraswellasappreciatingtheneedtoharvestandselltogetheratthesametimeiftheyshouldrealizethebenefitsofaggregation.

▪ Assigningmonitoringresponsibilitiesamongthememberstoensurethatallmemberfieldsarevisitedandassessedforcompliancewithagreeduponactivitiesandtimelinesbesidesadherencetorecommendedhusbandrypractices.

f) Onceallthesearedone,thenthegroupleadersshouldfilltheFormbelowandensurethatit isdulysignedbyall therequiredpersons.ThisformMUSTbefilled in4copies–1copyeach for thegroupexecutivecommittee,YoungModelFarmer,ProjectOfficer,andProjectManager.

g) Upon receiving and signing this form, the Project Officer will enter the data into anAgroenterprise Business Plan database that will be forwarded to the Project Manager.

h) TheProjectManagerwillaggregateallthedatainto:(i)Enterprisespecificseasonalbusinesscase; (ii) Plot onmap the Enterprise volume and outreach; and (iii) A regional enterprisebusinesscaseforsharingwithlocalgovernments,privatesectoractors,andotherstakeholders.


Production and Marketing Seasonal Plan for Period (e.g., Feb- July…………..)

Name of Youth Group: Contact Details Enterprise:Variety:

District: Sub county: Parish: Village:

No. Name of Member(a)

Planned Acres/Birds(b)

Yield expected

(units)(c)

Estimated yield loss +

food(d)

Estimated yield to be sold(e=(c-d))

Estimated sales price per unit (UGX) (f)

Estimated Income (UGX)

(g=(e*f))

Estimated production cost (UGX)

(h)

Estimated net Income (UGX)

(i=g-h)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

GROUP GARDEN

TOTAL


Planned Seasonal Activities

Activity Period ResponsibleMonth 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4

W1

W2

W3

W4

W5

W6

W7

W8

W9

W10

W11

W12

W13

W14

W15

W16

Nursery managementClashing

Ploughing

Procurement of inputsPlanting

Weeding

Spraying

Harvesting

Marketing of produceReview of achievements

For Youth Group:

GroupChairperson:Date,name,signature&stamp

GroupYMF:Date,nameandsignature

For Implementing Partner:

ProjectOfficer:Date,name,andsignature ProjectManager:Date,name,signature&stamp


Part 4: Good Agricultural Practices

Methods:Lecture,BrainstormingQuestionandanswerGroup work

Objectives: Bytheendofthesession,participantsareableto:• Listthecrop/livestockphysiology• Explain the farming calendar of the enterprise • Identifykeypestanddiseasesaswellastheirmanagementpractices• Identifytherecommendedpost-harvestmanagementpractices

Sub-topics1.Generallyacceptedgoodagronomicpractices2.Pestanddiseasemanagementpractices3.Postharvestmanagement

Duration:Varieddependingontheenterprise

Points to ConsiderIt should be noted here that:

First,thispartofthemanualisdividedintofourpartsinaccordancewithYEEPprioritizedenterprises:Onion,Tomato,Passionfruit,andpoultryproduction.

Second, under each enterprise, a detailed trainingwill be conducted by the YMF at the group-learningsites.These trainingsaredesigned tofit theenterprisecalendar that isaligned toeachcommodity physiology. These trainings will be planned together with the members and executed whenyouthcanusethemontheirindividualfarmsimmediately.

Third,each trainingsession, thatwillbeconducted foreachgroupaccording to theirenterprisewillbefollowedwithareflectionandrecapduringthenextsession.Thiswillbedonetobuildnotjusteffectiveflowofsessionsbutalsotoensurethateachsessioniscloselylinkedtotherequiredpractices.


4.1 ONION PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

Session 4.11. Introduction to onion production Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer,Groupwork

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareabletomentiontheimportanceofoniongrowing,understandtheweeklyactivityplan,selectandpreparelandforoniongrowing.

Sub topics1. Importance of onion growing2.Weeklyactivityplanforonionproduction3.Landselectionandpreparationforoniongrowing

Time: 60 Minutes

IntroductionIntroduce the session by telling the participants that in this session we are going to have anintroductiontooniongrowing.

Importance of onion growingAsktheparticipantstomentionwhyonionsaregrown.Recordtheirresponsesonaflipchart.Thefollowing should be emphasized.

● Forfood–theyformanimportantingredientofvariousdishesassauceorsalads ● Formoney-theyarehighincomecropsandeasytosell ● They require small acreage (small piece of land) ● Theytakearelativelyshorttimetomature(165days) ● Theyrequiresmallinitialcapital.

Onion growing weekly activity plan

Group workDivide theparticipants into4groups. Askeachgroup todiscussandcomeupwith10differentactivitiesthattheyexpecttocarryoutinonionproduction.Letthemrecordtheseactivitiesonaflipchart.Theactivitiesshouldberecordedintheordertheyoccurintheseason.

Aftereachgrouppresenting,brainstormonthecorrecttimingforeachactivitysoastocomeupwith a table as below.


Onion growing weekly activity plan

WEEK GROWTH STAGE CRITICAL ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATIONS8 weeks before transplanting

Nurserybedpreparation

Germination7-10days

• Prepare the transplant bed• Monitoring• Watering• Raise the shade• Thinning• Pest and disease

management (Hardening)

• Soilsterilization• Watertwice(morningand

evening)• Slanttheshadewest-east

to a height of 1 m by ½ m immediatelyaftergermination

• Reduce watering gradually • Removetheshade

1 Pencil thick • Transplant • Use clean material for carrying the seedlings

• Transplantintheevening2 • Gapfill • Keepthefieldfreeofweedsall

thetime• Usevogorousseedlingsfor

faster growth3 Thefourthandfifth

leavesemerge• First weeding• Monitoring for pests (mole

crickets)

• Removetheweedsfromtheridges and bury them in the furrows

4 Vegetativegrowth • Monitoring for pests and diseases(molecrickets,downymildew,onionthrips)

• Spray with organic concoctions/Pyrethroidanddimethoatederivatives

• Fungicides(mancozeb,dithaneM45)

• Phytosanitation5 Vegetativegrowth

continues• Second weeding • Monitoring for pests and

diseases(molecrickets,downymildew,onionthrips))

• Phytosanitation• Reducemovementinthefield• Doearthing-up

6 Bulbing starts • Monitoring for pests and diseases(molecrickets,downymildew,onionthrips)

• Spray with dimethoate• Doearthing-up• Phytosanitation• Avoidmovementsinthe

garden• Startconstructingastorefor

curing7 Bulbingcontinues • Weedingcontinues

• Monitoring for pests and diseases(molecrickets,downymildew,onionthrips))

• Minimizemovementsinthegarden

• Earthing-upcontinues

8 Bulb expansions increase in size

• Field monitoring to check for exposed bulbs

• Earthing-upexposedbulbs• Reducemovementinthefield

Phytosanitation• Avoidforeignersfrom

accessingthefield


9 Bulb expansion continues

• Weedingcontinues• Monitoring for pests and

diseases(molecrickets,downymildew,onionthrips))

• Guardagainstthieves• Avoidmovementsinthe

garden• Phytosanitation• Earthing-upforexposed

tuberscontinues10 Physiological

maturity signs appear(10% maturity)

• Field monitoring for exposed bulbs.

• Guard against intruders (thieves)

• Earthing-upforexposedtuberscontinues

• ReducemovementinthefieldPhytosanitation

• Organize the items used during harvestinganddrying

11 Physiological maturity signs intensify (50% maturity)

• Fieldmonitoringfortheft • Bendtheleavestofastenmaturity

12 Maturitycontinues(70%)

• Startselectiveharvestincase bending wasn’t done

• Guardagainsttheft

13 Maturitycontinues(70%)

• Startselectiveharvestincase bending wasn’t done

• Guardagainsttheft

14 Harvesting • Gofortheharvesting • Liftingthebulbs• Takecaretoavoidbulbinjury

15 Post-harvesthandling • Drying/Curing• storage

• Cure under shade• Wellventilatedstores


Session 4.12. Land selection and preparation Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareabletoselectandpreparesuitablelandforoniongrowing.Sub topics1.Landselectionforonionproduction2.Preparationoflandforoniongrowing

Time: 60 Minutes

Introduction Introducethesessiontotheparticipantsthattodaywearegoingtolearnaboutproperlandselectionandpreparationforgoodonionproduction.

Asktheparticipantshowtheywouldconcludethatthelandissuitableforonionproduction

Land selection for onion growing

● Landthatissuitableforoniongrowinghassandyloamsoilswithgoodfertility.Fertilitycanbeseenfromthevegetationgrowinginthearea.(Ask the participants to mention the characteristics of vegetation indicating good soil fertility).

● Soilswithsmallgravelsaresuitableforonionproduction. ● Thelandshouldnotbepronetofloodinganditshouldhaveagentleslopetofacilitatedrainage. ● Thereshouldnotbemanytreesastheywillleadtolotsofshadeinthefieldandyetshadesaffectthedevelopmentofonions.

● Thelandshouldnothavebeenusedforproductionofonionsorgingerinthelast6months.Thiswill help minimize pests and disease build up.

Land preparation for onion growing

● Thelandmustbedugandallowedtorestforatleastonemonth.Duringthisperiod,thereisalsodecompositionofthetrash/rubbishtomanureforimprovedsoilfertility

● Deepploughingbyuseofhandhoesortractorsisrecommendedtoremovemostoftheweedrootsandsoftenthesoilforeasymovementofwaterandairinthesoil,butalsomakeiteasyforbulbformationandexpansion.

● Secondtillage is thendonetoproduceafinebed. Thiswill improvecropestablishmentandgrowth.

● Applymulchtoconservesoilandwaterandreduceevaporation. ● Ifyouareplanningtoplantinthesecondrains,openyourland(1st digging) at the end of the 1st rains.Thiswillenableyoutohavethelandreadyforplantingbythetimethesecondrainsstart.


Session 4.13. Nursery operations Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer,Practicalexercise

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsunderstandtheattributesofagoodonionnurserysiteanddifferentstepsinonionnurserymanagement.

Sub topics1.Qualitiesofagoodnurserysite2.Nurserybedpreparation,sowingandwatering3. Pest and disease management4. Hardening

Time: 120 minutes

IntroductionIntroducethesessionbytellingtheparticipantsthat inthissession,wearegoingto learnaboutnurseryoperationsintomatoproduction.

Qualities of a good nursery bed

● Aflat,fertileandwelldrainedpieceofland ● Close to water source ● Locatedinlessweedinfestedarea ● Inareaswithalotofwater,raisethenurserybed10-15cmabovetheground ● The soil should be dug deeply ● Notneighboringonionorgingergardens

Nursery bed preparation, sowing and watering

The steps are:

1. Sterilizethesoilbyburningthetopofthebedfor20minutesusingdriedvegetation.Chemicalscanalsobeusedbuttheyareexpensive

2. Allowthebedtorestforbetween5-7days3. Mix manure with the soil4. Sowindrills5cmapartat0.5cmdepthandcoverlightly.Seedrateis1.5-2.0kgs/acre.This

seedissownonabedof1mwidthand20mlength.Ashorterbedwillovercongesttheseedlingsandtheywillnotdevelopwell.

5. Shadethebedsmoderatelywiththeshadesslantingeast6. Watertwiceadayinthemorningandeveningsonly7. Seedsgerminate7-10daysaftersowing.8. Startreducingthewateringfrequencyaftergermination.9. Stopwateringcompletelyoneweekbeforetransplanting


Weeding, pests and disease control in the onion nurseryBeforewatering,itisimportanttogentlypullanyweedsthataregrowinginthenurserybed.Suchweeds compete with the seedlings for nutrients and water in the soil. One of the most common diseasesofonionsinthenurseryisdampingoff,whichcausesthestemtorotatthecrown,leadingtoseedlingdeath.Toavoidthis,oneweekaftergermination,aspraywithmancozeborDithaneM45isrecommended.Mix1teaspoonin5litresofwater.Onthedayofspraying,ensureyouwaterfirstandthensprayafterwateringsothatthechemicalisnotwashedofftheseedlingsduringwatering.Iftherearesignsofrain,donotspray.Sprayingshouldbedoneatleast3hoursbeforeorafteranyrain.

Practical ExerciseThistrainingshouldbedoneonasmallpieceofland,notmorethan1.5mwideand2.5mlong.Theparticipantsshouldphysicallydotheworkwiththefacilitatorgivingguidance.Itisadvisablethatateachstage,explanationsaregivenwhythingsaredonethewaytheyaredone.9skillstolearnshould include:

a) Indicators of good soils for a nursery bedb) Deepcultivationofthefield(1st digging)c) Secondcultivation,cleaningandbeatinguptoproduceafinetilthd) Laying1metrewidthoflandforthebede) Soilsterilizationf) Sowing (sow half a metre of the bed)g) Shadeconstructionh) Wateringi) Nurserybedfencing


Session 4.14. Onion field management Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer,Practicalexercise

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsunderstandtransplanting,weedingandsoilingupofonions.

Sub topics1.Transplantingandgapfilling2.Weedingandsoilingupinonions

Time: 120 Minutes

Transplanting and gap filling ● Whenproperlymanagedinthenurserybed,seedlingsarereadyfortransplanting6-8weeksaftergermination.Theseedlingswillbepencilthicknessatthebaseofthestem.

● Theseedlingsshouldhavenotbeenwatered in thenursery forat least7days tostrengthenthem.

● Waterthebedheavilyonthedayofpullingtoeaseliftingofseedlingsandreduceinjurytothem. ● Prickouttheseedlingsandtransplantintothemaingardenintheeveninginordertoavoidlong

day heat stress. ● Spacing: 30cm x 15cm (1 plant per hole) ● Gapfillwithin1weekoftransplantingforevengrowth. ● Addwatertotheplantingholebeforeplantingforbetterestablishment.

Weeding and soiling upAskparticipantswhyweedsshouldbecontrolled.Askthemthecommonweedsofonions(inlocallanguages)

● Thecropstandshouldbekeptfreeofweedsatalltime,becauseweedscompetefornutrientsandarealsovectorsfordisease.

● Hand weeding is recommended as the hoe could lead to damage to the tender plants ● Immediatelyaftereachweeding,thesoilaroundthecropissoftenedandheapedaroundthecrown(soilingup).Thisfacilitatesbulbformationandexpansion.

● Itisalsorecommendedthatevenwhentherearenoweeds,aslongasitrains,soilingupshouldbe done.

● Whenleavesstartyellowinganddrooping(bendingawayfromtheplants),andthesoilaroundtheplantscracks,itisasignofphysiologicalmaturity.Theleavesshouldbebentforfasteranduniformmaturity.Thisnormallyoccurs90–100daysaftertransplanting

Practical exerciseThistrainingshouldbedoneonasmallpieceofland,notmorethan3mwideand5mlong.Theparticipantsshouldphysicallydotheworkwiththefacilitatorgivinginstructions.Itisadvisablethatateachstage,explanationsaregivenwhythingsaredonethewaytheyaredone.8skillstolearnshould include:

a) Liningupb) Liftingtheseedlings(wateringtheseedlingsbeforelifting)–useseedlingsraisedduringthe

nurseryoperationspracticalexercisec) Transportationofseedlingsfromnurserytothegarden.d) Right size of seedlingse) Depthoftransplantingf) Diggingthecorrectsizeofplantingholesg) Correct spacingh) Materialsformulching(avoidthosewithseeds)andthemulchingprocessitself


Session 4.15. Onion pests and disease management Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsunderstandthecommononionpestsanddiseasesandtheircontrol. Sub topics1.Generalpestanddiseasemanagementpractices2. Pest and disease management

Time: 75 Minutes

General pest and disease management practices

Theonion crop isnot attackedbymanypests anddiseasesasotherhorticultural crops. This isbecauseofitssmellwhichrepelssomeofthepestsanddiseasevectors.Itishowevernotcompletelyimmunetoattack. It isthereforerecommendedthatthefollowinggeneralpracticesofpestanddisease management be used.

1. Croprotation–breakthepestlifecycle2. Earlyplanting–yourcropescapesbythetimepest/diseaseincidencesrise,youareharvesting3. Useresistantvarieties–theyresistdamage4. Weedcontrol–weedsaffectcropvigorwhichisrelatedtodamage.Weakercropsaremore

damaged5. Scouting–Tospotpests/diseasesearlyandcontrolthemintime6. Correctidentificationofpestordiseasesoastousetherightcontrolstrategy

Common onion pests and their controlOnion thripsFeedatthebaseoftheplant,withintheleafsheathcausingsunkenleavesandsilverypatches.

Excretaoftheinsectsappearasblackspotsontheleaves.

ControlCroprotation,timelyplanting,spraywithspinosad(anorganicpesticide)orcypermethrin.

Onion cricketsThey cause seriousdamage to the cropparticularly at thebeginningof the season,both in thenurserybedandaftertransplantinginthemainfield.

ControlFieldhygienebytimelyweedingespeciallyimmediatelyaftertransplanting.

Common onion diseases and their controlDowny mildewLesionsformneartipsofoldleaves(elongatedyellowishpatches)

Leavesdiebackandthisextendstoyoungerleaves

Control:Croprotation,usecleanpropagules,sprayseverysevendayswithafungicidewhensignsofinfectionappear.


Purple blotch Smallwhitespotsformonthefoliageexpandingrapidlyundermoistconditions.

ControlCroprotation,usecleanpropagules,sprayseverysevendayswithafungicidewhensignsofinfectionappear.

Yellow dwarf Thisisaviraldiseasetransmittedbyaphids;symptomsappearasshortyellowstreaksatthebaseofthefirstleavesasitemergesthroughtheneckofthebulb.

ControlTimelyplanting,Improvedfieldhygieneandsanitation


Session 4.16. Harvesting and post-harvest handling Method:Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareabletoharvestonionsattherightstage,minimizepost-harvestlossesandprepareformarketing,Sub topics1.Signsofmaturityandharvestingofonions2.Post-harvesthandlingofonions3.Qualityconsiderationsandmarketingofonions

Time:90Minutes

Signs of maturity and harvesting of onions ● Onionstake165-170daystomatureincludingdaysinthenurserybed. ● Bulb necks become thin ● Leavesbendover/droop ● Leafbendingcanbedonebythefarmerduringthelastmonthofmaturity(tofastenripening) ● Harvestduringdryweather

Post-harvest handling of onions ● Dryinopensidedbandsorundertreeshadeonaraisedplatformthatallowsaircirculationformthebottomoftheheap.

● Drying under hot sun leads to scorch burns on the bulbs. ● Delayeddryingafterharvestcancauserotting ● Storeuntilrequiredforsaleoruse. ● Storeingoodhouses,wellventilatedforfurthercuring. ● Tiebunchesbytheleavesandhanginanonionstorewellventilatedcoolanddry

Quality considerations and marketing of onions ● Onionsareacceptedinthelocalmarket,supermarkets,andotherinstitutionsbecauseoftheir

quality. ● Whentargetingspecificmarkets,gradebeforesellingbysortingaccordingtosizes,colourand

weight. ● Onionscanbedeliveredtomarketsinbags,basketsoranyotherpackagingthatisspecifiedby

the customers. ● Potentialmarketsarewithinthecommunitywheretheyaregrown,urbancentresintheregion,andasvolumesincrease,Aruatown,Lira,Gulu,DRCongo,Moyo,Koboko,Adjumani

● Alwayshavecontactsofcustomersandshareinformationwiththeme.g.expectedquantitytosell,quality,timeofharvest,varietyplanted,priceandpackaging

● Marketingshouldbedoneafterestablishmentofthedemandandpriceatagivenmarketandindividualfarmersareencouragedtobringtogethertheirproducesoastohavebetterbargainingpower.


4.2: TOMATO PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

Session 4.21. Introduction to tomato production Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer,Groupwork

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareabletomentiontheimportanceoftomatogrowing,understandtheweeklyactivityplanfor,selectandpreparelandfortomatogrowing.

Sub topics1. Importance of tomato growing2.Weeklyactivityplanfortomatoproduction3.Landselectionandpreparationfortomatogrowing

Time: 60 Minutes

IntroductionIntroduce the session by telling the participants that in this session we are going to have anintroductiontotomatogrowing.

Importance of tomato growingAsktheparticipantstomentionwhytomatoesaregrown.Recordtheirresponsesonaflipchart.The following should be emphasized.

● Forfood–theyformanimportantingredientofvariousdishesassauceorsalads ● Formoney-theyarehighincomecropsandeasytosell ● They require small acreage (small piece of land) ● Theytakeshorttimetomature(90days) ● Theyrequiresmallinitialcapital.


Tomato growing weekly activity plan

Group work Divide theparticipants into4groups. Askeachgroup todiscussandcomeupwith10differentactivitiesthattheyexpecttocarryoutintomatoproduction.Letthemrecordtheseactivitiesonaflipchart.Theactivitiesshouldberecordedintheordertheyoccurintheseason.


Tomato growing weekly activity plan

WEEK GROWTH STAGE CRITICAL ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATIONS8 weeks be-fore trans-planting

Nursery bed preparation

Germination after 5 - 8 days

•Prepare the nursery bed•Monitoring•Sowing (4 – 5 weeks

before intended transplanting date)

•Watering •Raise the shade•Thinning•Pest and disease

management (Hardening)

•Soil sterilization•Fence the nursery bed after

sowing•Water twice ( morning and

evening)•Slant the shade west-east to a

height of 1m by 1/2m immediately after germination

•Reduce watering gradually •Remove the shade

1 Pencil thick •Transplant and mulch immediately after transplanting. Take care not to mulch with materials having viable seeds. These will become weeds

•Use clean material for carrying the seedlings

•Transplant in the evening

2 •Gap fill •Keep the field free of weeds all the time

•Use vigorous seedlings for faster growth

3 The fourth and fifth leaves emerge

•First weeding•Monitoring for pests

(cutworms and crickets)

•Remove the weeds from the field, taking care not to injure the plants

4 Vegetative growth •Monitoring for pests and diseases (cutworms, aphids, bacterial wilt)

•Staking starts

•Spray with organic concoctions/Pyrethroid and dimethoate derivatives

•Fungicides (mancozeb, dithane M45)

•Phytosanitation5 Flowering starts and

production of suckers(Explain what suckers are).

•Monitoring for pests and diseases (aphids, thrips, late blight, bacterial wilt)

•Pruning should start

•Phytosanitation•Reduce movement in the field


6 Flowering •Monitoring for pests and diseases (Bacterial wilt, Late blight)

•More pruning - with care to avoid flower damage)

•Spray with organic concoctions/Pyrethroid and dimethoate derivatives

•Phytosanitation•Avoid movements in the garden

7 Fruit formation starts •Second weeding starts•During second weeding, •Monitoring for pests and

diseases (Late blight,

•Move carefully in the garden•Fungicides (mancozeb, dithane

M45)

8 Fruits increase in size •Field monitoring to check for diseases/pests (Boll worms, fruit canker)

•Limit movements in the field, and where necessary, move carefully in the garden

9 Physiological maturity signs appear(10% maturity)

•Field monitoring for diseases/pests

•Guard against intruders (thieves) •Reduce movement in the field

Phytosanitation •Organize the items used during

drying 11 Start of harvesting •Field monitoring for theft •Guard against intruders (thieves)


Session 4.22. Land selection and preparation Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionand answer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareabletoselectandpreparesuitablelandfortomatogrowing.

Sub topics1.Landselectionfortomatoproduction2.Preparationoflandfortomatogrowing

Time: 60 Minutes

Introduction Introducethesessiontotheparticipantsthattodaywearegoingtolearnaboutproperlandselectionandpreparationforgoodtomatoproduction.

Asktheparticipantshowtheywouldconcludethatthelandissuitablefortomatoproduction

Land selection for tomato growing ● Landthatissuitablefortomatogrowinghassandyloamsoilswithgoodfertility.Fertilitycanbeseenfromthevegetationgrowinginthearea.(Ask the participants to mention the characteristics of vegetation indicating good soil fertility).

● Thelandshouldnotbepronetofloodinganditshouldhaveagentleslopetofacilitatedrainage. ● Thereshouldnotbemanytreesastheywillleadtolotsofshadeinthefieldandyetshadesaffectthedevelopmentoftomatoes.

● Thelandshouldnothavebeenusedforproductionofeggplants,pepper,irishpotatoes,pumpkinsor water melon in the last 6 months. This will help minimize pests and disease build up.

Land preparation for tomato growing ● Thelandmustbedugandallowedtorestforatleastonemonth.Duringthisperiod,thereisalsodecompositionofthetrash/rubbishintomanureforimprovedsoilfertility

● Deepploughingbyuseofhandhoesortractorsisrecommendedtoremovemostoftheweedrootsandsoftenthesoilforeasymovementofwaterandairinthesoil,butalsomakeiteasyforroots to grow.

● Secondtillage is thendonetoproduceafinebed. Thiswill improvecropestablishmentandgrowth.

● Applymulchtoconservesoilandwaterandreduceevaporation. ● Ifyouareplanningtoplantinthesecondrains,openyourland(1st digging) at the end of the 1st rains.Thiswillenableyoutohavethelandreadyforplantingbythetimethesecondrainsstart.



Objectives:Attheendofthesession,participantsunderstandtheattributesofagoodtomatonurserysiteanddifferentstepsintomatonurserymanagement.

Sub topics:1.Qualitiesofagoodnurserysite2.Nurserybedpreparation,sowingandwatering3. Pest and disease management4. Hardening

Time: 120 minutes

IntroductionIntroducethesessionbytellingtheparticipantsthat inthissession,wearegoingto learnaboutnurseryoperationsintomatoproduction.


● Aflat,fertileandwelldrainedpieceofland ● Close to water source ● Locatedinlessweedinfestedarea ● Inareaswithalotofwater,raisethenurserybed10-15cmabovetheground ● The soil should be dug deeply ● Notneighbouringothertomatogardens,orgardensplantedwithirishpotatoes,eggplantsor

pepper.Nursery bed preparation, sowing and wateringThefacilitatorshouldguidetheparticipantstodiscussthefollowingstepsbyaskingthemtomentionthe steps. Ensure all the steps below are explained. The steps are:


2. Allowthebedtorestforbetween5-7days3. Mix manure with the soil4. Sowindrills5cmapartat0.5cmdeepandcoverlightly.Seedrateis1.2-1.4kgs/acre.This

seedissownonabedof1mwidthand20mlength.Ashorterbedwillovercongesttheseedlingsandtheywillnotdevelopwell.


5. Shadethebedsmoderatelywiththeshadesslantingeast6. Watertwiceadayinthemorningandeveningsonly7. Seedsgerminate5-8daysaftersowing.8. Startreducingthewateringfrequencyaftergermination.9. Stopwateringcompletelyoneweekbeforetransplanting

Weeding, pests and disease control in the tomato nurseryBeforewatering,itisimportanttogentlypullanyweedsthataregrowinginthenurserybed.Suchweeds compete with the seedlings for nutrients and water in the soil. One of the most common diseasesof tomatoes in thenursery isdampingoff,which causes the stem to rot at the crown,leadingtoseedlingdeath. Toavoid this,oneweekaftergermination,aspraywithmancozeborDithaneM45isrecommended.Mix1teaspoonin5litresofwater.Onthedayofspraying,ensureyouwaterfirstandthensprayafterwateringsothatthechemicalisnotwashedofftheseedlingsduringwatering.Iftherearesignsofrain,donotspray.Sprayingshouldbedoneatleast3hoursbeforeorafteranyrain.

Practical ExerciseIntroducethisexercisebyexplainingtotheparticipantsthatinthissession,wearegoingtopracticallycarry out nursery operations from site selection, nursery bed preparation, sowing, shading andfencing.

Thistrainingshouldbedoneonasmallpieceofland,notmorethan1.5mwideand2.5mlong.Theparticipantsshouldphysicallydotheworkwiththefacilitatorgivinginstructions.Itisadvisablethatateachstage,explanationsaregivenwhythingsaredonethewaytheyaredone.9skillstolearnshould include:

1. Indicators of good soils for a nursery bed2. Deepcultivationofthefield(1st digging)3. Secondcultivation,cleaningandbeatinguptoproduceafinetilth4. Laying1metrewidthoflandforthebed5. Soilsterilization6. Sowing (sow half a metre of the bed)7. Shadeconstruction8. Watering9. Nurserybedfencing


Session 4.24. Tomato field management Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer,Practicalexercise

Objectives:Attheendofthesession,participantsunderstandtransplanting,weeding,mulching,pruningandstaking of tomatoes.Sub topics:1.Transplantingandgapfilling2.Weedingandpruning3. Tomato mulching and staking

Time: 120 Minutes

Transplanting, mulching and gap filling ● Whenproperlymanagedinthenurserybed,seedlingsarereadyfortransplanting4-5weeksaftergermination.

● Theseedlingsshouldhavenotbeenwatered in thenursery forat least7days tostrengthenthem.

● Waterthebedheavilyonthedayofpullingtoeaseliftingofseedlingsandreduceinjurytothem. ● Prickouttheseedlingsandtransplantintothemaingardenintheeveninginordertoavoidlong

day heat stress. ● Spacing:45cmx30cmor60x60cmdependingonthevariety(1plantperhole) ● Usevigorousseedlingsforfastergrowth. ● Addwatertotheplantingholebeforeplanting. ● Mulchingshouldbedone toconservewater in thesoil; it shouldbedone immediatelyaftertransplantationoftheseedling.

● The mulch will also help to protect the fruits from being soiled in case of rain. ● Gapfillwithin1weekoftransplantingforevengrowth.

Weeding, pruning and stakingAskparticipantswhyweedsshouldbecontrolled.Ask themthecommonweedsof tomatoes (inlocal languages)


● Hand weeding is recommended both for the greenhouse and outdoor tomatoes. ● Toavoidthespreadofdiseasesfromplanttoplant,donotuseknives.. ● ‘Pinchout’thesuckersinsteadusingyourthumbandforefingerasshowninthepicture.Thisis

called prinning. ● Aweeklyscoutingisdoneforsideshootsbeforetheydevelopintobigshoots. ● Remove side shoots, laterals, old leaves, diseased leaves & branches andovershadowedlowerleavesbyhand.

● Afterformationofthefirstfruitclusterofmaturegreentomatoesremoveallthelowerolderleavestoallowforventilationanddispersefoodtothefruits.

● Flowersshouldbeprunedto5-6perclusterformedium-largesizedfruits. ● Supporttheplantsusingpolesandwires.Thisiscalledstaking.It isusuallydoneearly-threeweeksaftertransplanting–tominimizeplantdamage.

● Tie a string lightly on the tomato and then gently twine the string around theplanttoavoidsnappingthestemasshowninthepicture


Practical exerciseIntroducethisexercisetotheparticipantsbytellingthemthatthatinthissession,wearegoingtopracticallycarryouttransplantingandmulchingoftomatoes.

Thistrainingshouldbedoneonasmallpieceofland,notmorethan3mwideand5mlong.Theparticipantsshouldphysicallydotheworkwiththefacilitatorgivinginstructions.Itisadvisablethatateachstage,explanationsaregivenwhythingsaredonethewaytheyaredone.8skillstolearnshould include:

a) Liningupb) Liftingtheseedlings(wateringtheseedlingsbeforelifting)–useseedlingsraisedduringthe

nurseryoperationspracticalexercisec) Transportationofseedlingsfromthenurserytothegarden.d) Right size of seedlingse) Depthoftransplantingf) Diggingthecorrectsizeofplantingholesg) Correct spacingh) Materialsformulching(avoidthosewithseeds)andthemulchingprocessitself


Session 4.25. Tomato pests and disease management

Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsunderstandthecommontomatopestsanddiseasesandtheir control.

Sub topics1.Generalpestanddiseasemanagementpractices2. Pest and disease management

Time: 75 Minutes

General pest and disease management practices

Tomatoisacropthatsuffersalotofpestanddiseaseattack.Itisrecommendedthatcontrolstartsevenbeforethepestsordiseasesymptomsareseen.Inprinciple,thefollowingpracticeswillgreatlyreducepestanddiseaseincidencesinthefieldandyouareencouragedtopracticethem.

1. Croprotation–breakthepestlifecycle2. Earlyplanting–yourcropescapesbythetimepest/diseaseincidencesrise,youareharvesting3. Useresistantvarieties–theyresistdamage4. Weedcontrol–weedsaffectcropvigorwhichisrelatedtodamage.Weakercropsaremore

damaged5. Scouting–Tospotpests/diseasesearlyandcontrolthemintime6. Mulching and staking – reduces contact of soil and the plant parts. Most tomato diseases are

soilborne.Stakingalsoimprovescropcoverageduringspraying7. Correctidentificationofpestordiseasesoastousetherightcontrolstrategy

Common tomato pests and their controlAphids,thrips,whiteflies,Cutworms,bollworms,leafminers.Spider mites and nematodes.

ControlCroprotation,fieldhygiene,useoforganicpesticides.

Common tomato diseases and their control

Late Blight ● Thediseaseisverycommonparticularlyduringtherainyseasonbutalsowhenthereisexcess

moisture or humidity ● Thisdiseasecanspreadveryfastwipingawayplantswithinashorttimeanditalsoaffectsfruits.

Effects of the disease

● Thereareirregulargreenishorwatersoakedlesionsontheleaves,stemsandfruits. ● Leavesdevelopbluish-greypatches,turnbrown,witherbutstayattachedtotheplant. ● Fruitsdevelopwateryspotswhichdeveloponupperhalfoffruit. ● Thereisrapiddeathoftheentireplant.


b) Bacterial wiltBacterial wilt is one of the major diseases of tomato. The pathogen can also cause the bacterial wilt in several major crops such aseggplant,pepperandpotato

SymptomsNon-yellowing

● Wilting of the youngest leaves at the ends of the branchesduringthehottestpartoftheday

● Duringitsearlystages,onlyoneorhalfaleafletmaywiltandplantsmayappeartorecoveratnight,whenthetemperaturesare cooler

● Theentireplantmaywiltquicklyanddesiccatealthoughdriedleavesremaingreenleadingtogeneralwiltingandyellowingoffoliageandeventuallytheplantdiesasshowninthepicture.

c) Bacterial Canker ● Symptomsmaybenotedonleaves,stems,andinsidefruits. ● Areasofleavesabovethesecondorthirdclustermayshowdull

green and water soaked areas. ● Wiltingprogressesuntiltheplantdies. ● Symptoms may be as seen in the picture


Session 4.26. Tomato harvesting, post-harvest handling and marketing

Method:Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionand answer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareabletoharvesttomatoesattherightstage,minimizepost-harvestlossesandprepareformarketing,

Sub topics1.Signsofmaturityandharvestingoftomatoes2.Post-harvesthandlingoftomatoes3.Qualityconsiderationsandmarketingoftomatoes

Time:90Minutes

Signs of maturity and harvesting of tomatoes

● Tomatoestake90daystomatureincludingdaysinthenurserybed. ● Thefruitsturnfromlightgreentoyellowish-reddishcolor ● Usuallytheveryfirstclusterbearsthefirstreadyfruits. ● Pickfruitsatintervalsastheyripendependingonyourmarketdemand. ● Theveryfirstharvestisusuallylesscomparedtothelaterharvests. ● Handpickandplacefruitsinbuckets/trayswhentheweatheriscool ● Harvestingcontinuesforupto2months

Post-harvest handling of tomatoes ● Afterharvestingripetomatoes,thefruitsshouldbewashedandstoredinacoolplaceifnotsold

immediately. ● Whentransportingtothemarket,designwoodenboxestoavoidbeingcrushed. ● Sellimmediatelyafterpickingthefruits. ● Keepawayfromdomesticbirds. ● Donotleavealreadyharvestedtomatoesinthesunshinetoavoidburstingoffruits.

Quality considerations and marketing of tomatoes ● Thefruitsareacceptedinthelocalmarket,supermarkets,andotherinstitutionsbecauseoftheir

quality. ● Whentargetingspecificmarkets,gradebeforesellingbysortingaccordingtosizes,colouror

weight. ● Potentialmarketsarewithinthecommunitywheretheyaregrown,urbancentresintheregion,andasvolumesincrease,Aruatown,Lira,Gulu,DRCongo,Moyo,Koboko,Adjumani



4.3: PASSION FRUIT PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

Session 4.31. Introduction to passion fruit production Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionand answer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareabletomentiontheimportanceofpassionfruitgrowing,understandtheweeklyactivityplanforpassionfruitgrowing,selectandpreparelandforpassionfruitgrowing.

Sub topics1. Importance of passion fruit growing2.Weeklyactivityplanforpassionfruitproduction3.Landselectionandpreparationforpassionfruitgrowing

Time: 60 Minutes

IntroductionIntroduce the session by telling the participants that in this session we are going to have anintroductiontopassionfruitgrowing.

Importance of passion fruit growingAsktheparticipantstomentionwhypassionfruitsaregrown.Recordtheirresponsesonaflipchart.The following should be emphasized.

● Asabeverage–theyformanimportantingredientofvariousjuicesanddishes ● Formoney-theyarehighincomecropsandeasytosell ● They require small acreage (small piece of land) ● Theytakearelativelyshorttimetomature(165days) ● Perennial crop therefore farmer can get steady income for three years or more.

Passion fruit growing weekly activity planDivide theparticipants into4groups. Askeachgroup todiscussandcomeupwith10differentactivitiesthattheyexpecttocarryoutinpassionfruitproduction.Letthemrecordtheseactivitiesonaflipchart.Theactivitiesshouldberecordedintheordertheyoccurintheseason.



Passion fruit growing weekly activity plan

WEEK GROWTH STAGE CRTITICAL ACTIVITIES RECOMMEDATIONS12 weeks before transplant-ing

Nursery bed prepa-ration

Germination 12-14days

• Prepare the nursery bed• Sowing• Pot filling• Watering • Raise the shade• Pricking out• Pest and disease manage-

ment (Hardening)• Pitting(digging holes for

planting (2 weeks before)

• Soil sterilization• Water twice ( morning and • evening)• slant the shade west-east to a

height of 1m by 1/2m immedi-ately after germination

• Pest & disease control• reduce watering • remove the shade

1 Pencil thick • Transplant • Use clean material for carrying the seedlings

• Transplant in the evening3 • Gap fill

• 1st weeding• Keep the field free of weeds all

the time• Use vigorous seedlings for

faster growth 4 - 5 The fourth and fifth

leaves emerge• Monitoring for pests (cut-

worms, mole crickets)• Spray with locally made plant

derivatives for pest control

6 - 12 Vegetative growth • Monitoring for pests and diseases

• Weeding• Trellising

• Spray with fungicides (mancoz-eb, dithane M 45)

• Phytosanitation

13 - 16 1st Flowering and Fruit setting. This can start earlier and it continues on a seasonal basis.

• Pruning starts• Monitoring for pests and

diseases

• Phytosanitation• Reduce movement in the field

17 - 27 Fruit growth • Monitoring for pests and diseases

• Spray with dithane M45 or mancozeb

• Phytosanitation• Minimum movements in the

garden• Prepare harvesting materials

28 - 30 Ripening starts • Harvesting starts • Minimize movements in the garden

• Guard against theft


Session 4.32. Land selection and preparation Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareabletoselectandpreparesuitablelandforpassionfruitgrowing.

Sub topics1.Landselectionforpassionfruitproduction2.Preparationoflandforpassionfruitgrowing

Time: 60 Minutes

Introduction Introducethesessiontotheparticipantsthattodaywearegoingtolearnaboutproperlandselectionandpreparationforgoodpassionfruitproduction.

Asktheparticipantshowtheywouldconcludethatthelandissuitableforpassionfruitproduction

Land selection for passion fruit growing ● Passion fruits grow on many soil types. ● Landthatissuitableforpassionfruitgrowinghassandyloamsoilswithgoodfertility.Fertilitycan be seen from the vegetation growing in the area. (Ask the participants to mention the characteristics of vegetation indicating good soil fertility).

● Thelandshouldnotbepronetofloodinganditshouldhaveagentleslopetofacilitatedrainageand minimize the incidence of collar rot.

Land preparation for passion fruit growing ● Thelandmustbedugandallowedtorestforatleastonemonth.Duringthisperiod,thereisalsodecompositionofthetrash/rubbishtomanureforimprovedsoilfertility

● Deepploughingbyuseofhandhoesortractorsisrecommendedtoremovemostoftheweedrootsandsoftenthesoilforeasymovementofwaterandairinthesoil.

● Plantingholes,30cmdeepand30cmwideindiametershouldbedug2weeksbeforetransplanting. ● Whendiggingtheplantinghole,thetopfertilesoilshouldbeputasideseparatefromtheredbottomsoil.Thetopsoilisthenputbackintheplantinghole.Welldecomposedmanure,whereavailable,canbemixedwiththetopsoilandputintheplantingholestwoweeksbeforeplanting.

● Recommended spacing for passion fruit is 3 m by 2 m. ● Applymulchtoconservesoilandwaterandreduceevaporation. ● Ifyouareplanningtoplantinthesecondrains,openyourland(1stdigging)attheendofthe1strains.Thiswillenableyoutohavethelandreadyforplantingbythetimethesecondrainsstart.



ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsunderstandtheattributesofagoodpassionfruitnurserysiteanddifferentstepsinpassionfruitnurserymanagement.

Sub topics1.Qualitiesofagoodnurserysite2.Nurserybedpreparation,sowingandwatering3.Potfilling4. Pricking out 5. Pest and disease management6. Hardening

Time: 120 minutes

IntroductionIntroducethesessionbytellingtheparticipantsthat inthissession,wearegoingto learnaboutnurseryoperationsinpassionfruitproduction.


● Aflat,fertileandwelldrainedpieceofland ● Close to a reliable water source ● Locatedinlessweedinfestedarea ● Inareaswithalotofwater,raisethenurserybed10-15cmabovetheground ● The soil should be dug deeply ● Notneighbouringtomatoes,pumpkinsorwatermelon ● Fenced to protect seedlings against animals

Nursery bed preparation, sowing and wateringThefacilitatorshouldguidetheparticipantstodiscussthefollowingstepsbyaskingthemtomentionthe steps. Ensure all the steps below are explained. The steps are:


2. Allowthebedtorestforbetween5-7days3. Mix manure with the soil4. Sowindrills15cmapartat2cmdeepandcoverlightly.Seedrateis40gforseedlingstoplant

an acre. This seed is sown on a bed of 1 m width and 10 m length and later the seedlings are put into paper pots.

5. Afterplantingseeds,anurserymustbecoveredusingdrygrassandwateredatleasttwiceaday

6. Shadethebedsmoderatelywiththeshadesslantingeast7. Watertwiceadayinthemorningandeveningsonly8. Seedsgerminate12-14daysaftersowing.9. Aftergermination,thegrassshouldberaisedtoaheightof1cmastheseedlingscontinue

growing.10. Youcanraiseyourseedlinginthenurserybeduptothetimeofplantingbutthismethodmay

notbethebestwhentransportingtheseedlings.11. Itisadvisabletoraisetheseedlingsinpots12. Fillthepottingmaterialswithloamfertilesoilmixedwithwelldecomposedmanure.1part

manureand4partsfertilesoil(usuallytopsoil)willgiveagoodmixture.


13. Theseedlingscanbetransferredfromthenurserybedtopottingmaterialstwoweeksaftergermination.

14. Toremoveseedlingsfromnurserybed,itisfirstwateredandtheyoungseedlingsareliftedfromthebottomoftherootusingasharpstick.

15. Theseedlingsarethentransferredtothepots(1seedlingperpot)andwateringcontinues.16. Whenvinesare10-60cmtall(about5-6weeksafterpotting)theyarereadyfortransplanting17. Startreducingthewateringfrequencyaftergermination.18. Stopwateringcompletelyoneweekbeforetransplanting

Weeding, pests and disease control in the passion fruit nurseryBeforewatering,itisimportanttogentlypullanyweedsthataregrowinginthenurserybed.Suchweeds compete with the seedlings for nutrients and water in the soil. A fungicide (mancozeb or DithaneM45)shouldbesprayedwhentheseedlingsare5cmtalltoavoidanyfungalattack.Mix1teaspoonto5litresofwater.Fivedaysbeforetransplanting,applycypermethrinontheseedlingstoprotectthemfrompests.Onthedayofspraying,ensureyoudonotwatertheplantsunlesstheyarestillsmall.Incaseyousprayandthereisstillaneedtowater,waterfirstandthensprayafterwateringsothatthechemicalisnotwashedofftheseedlingsduringwatering.Iftherearesignsofrain,donotspray.Sprayingshouldbedoneatleast3hoursbeforeorafteranyrain.

Practical ExerciseThistrainingshouldbedoneonasmallpieceofland,notmorethan1.5mwideand2.5mlong.Theparticipantsshouldphysicallydotheworkwiththefacilitatorgivingguidance.Itisadvisablethatateachstage,explanationsaregivenwhythingsaredonethewaytheyaredone.10skillstolearnshould include:

1. Indicators of good soils for a nursery bed2. Deepcultivationofthefield(1st digging)3. Secondcultivation,cleaningandbeatinguptoproduceafinetilth4. Laying1metrewidthoflandforthebed5. Soilsterilization6. Sowing (sow half a metre of the bed)7. Potfilling8. Shadeconstruction9. Watering10. Nurserybedfencing


Session 4.34. Passion fruit field management Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionandanswer,Practicalexercise

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsunderstandtransplanting,weeding,pruningandtrellisingofpassion fruits.Subtopics1.Transplantingandgapfilling2.Weeding,pruningandtrellising3. Mulching

Time: 120 Minutes

Transplanting and gap filling ● Passionfruitsshouldbetransplantedwhenthereisplentyofraintoprovideadequatewater. ● Poursomewaterintheplantingholewhererainseemstobeinadequate. ● Withthespacingof3mby2m,660seedlingsofpassionfruitscanbeplantedinanacreofland. ● Theseedlingsshouldhavenotbeenwateredinthenurseryforatleast7daystostrengthen

Weeding, pruning and trellisingAskparticipantswhyweedsshouldbecontrolled.Askthemthecommonweedsintheirlocalities(in local languages). Also ask them what they understand by and the importance of (a) Pruning (b) trellising.


● Thefirstweedingshouldbedonewithintwoweeksaftertransplanting. ● Shallow weeding should be done using hoes. ● Weedsshouldbeallowedtodecomposeinthegardentoformmanure.

Pruning is the cutting off of some vines and it is done for the following reasons: ● Toaidinpestanddiseasecontrolasitallowsforscoutingandeasyspraying. ● Pruningisdonetoeliminateweakanddiseasedvines,andalllateralsthatare0-30cmabovethegroundtoinitiateflowering.

● Duringtimesoffruiting,pruningexposesthefruitstosunlighttopromotematuration. ● Enhancenewgrowth as old vines are cut back so theplant candirect nutrients to youngerflowersandfruits.

Note: Pruning can be done using a sharp knife. The knife used for pruning should be disinfected to avoidtransmissionofdiseases.Trellisingiswherepassionfruitvinesareraisedfromthegroundandtrainedtogrowupwardstoavoidinfectionfromsoilbornediseases.


Practical exercise

Thistrainingshouldbedoneonasmallpieceofland,notmorethan10mwideand10mlong.Theparticipantsshouldphysicallydotheworkwiththefacilitatorgivinginstructions.Itisadvisablethatateachstage,explanationsaregivenwhythingsaredonethewaytheyaredone.6skillstolearnshould include:

1. Liningup2. Liftingtheseedlings(wateringtheseedlingsbeforelifting)–useseedlingsraisedduringthe

nursery operations practical exercise. NB. The training has to be properly timed to haveseedlingsreadyforthispracticaltraining,otherwise,afewseedlingsmighthavetobeboughtfordemonstrationpurposes.

3. Right size of seedlings4. Depthoftransplanting5. Diggingthecorrectsizeofplantingholes6. Correct spacing


Session 4.35. Pests and disease management Method: Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionand answer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsunderstandthecommonpassionfruitpestsanddiseasesandtheircontrol.

Sub topics1.Generalpestanddiseasemanagementpractices2. Pest and disease management

Time: 75 Minutes

General pest and disease management practicesThepassionfruitisattackedbyanumberofpestsanddiseasesjustlikemanyotherhorticulturalcrops. It is therefore recommended that the following general practices of pest and diseasemanagement be used.

1. Timelyplanting–yourcroptakesadvantageofalltherainsandisstrongandvigorousasitgrows

2. Useresistantvarieties–theyresistdamage3. Weedcontrol–weedsaffectcropvigorwhichisrelatedtodamage.Weakercropsaremore

damaged4. Scouting–Tospotpests/diseasesearlyandcontrolthemintime5. Correctidentificationofpestordiseasesoastousetherightcontrolstrategy

Common passion fruit pests and their control

Root knot nematodesItisoneofthemostseriouspeststhataffectpassionfruits.

Signs ● Formationofgallsorknotsonroots ● Yellowingofleaves, ● Stuntingandeventualwiltingoftheaffectedplants

Control ● Croprotationtobreakthepestcycle ● Plantingresistantpassionfruitvarieties. ● Removeanddestroytheaffectedplants.

Aphids Aphids sack sap from the passion fruits and transmit woodinessvirusdisease.

Signs ● Clusterofaphidsontheundersideoftheleaves.

ControlSpraywithanappropriateinsecticideE.g.Ambush.

Fruit flies

Puncture immature fruits causing them to rot.


Control

Spray with cypermethrin

Mites

Sucktheplantsapandjuicesandcausescurlingofleaves.

Control

Spraying with cypermethrin

Common passion fruit diseases and their control

Fusarium wilt

Thisisasoilbornediseasethatattackstheplantfromroottoleaves.Itaffectstherootingsystem,causingwiltingandwithering.

Control

Fusarium wilt can be controlled with the use of any copper based fungicide,oruprootingtheattackedplants

Brown spotOccurs inhumid conditions and is causedby a fungi calledAlternariapassiflorae.

Signsi. Brownspotsonleaves,stemsandfruits.

ii. Ringingoccursonbackofthestem,andprohibitstheexchangeofnutrientsfromtherootstotheleaves,andviceversa.

iii. Fruitsfallpre-maturely,leaveswhitherandinsevereattack,theplantrotsanddiesup

PreventionFarmhygiene,andtreatmentisbysprayingwithacopperbasedfungicidelikeDithaneM45,Ridomil,Milraz.

Woodiness virusWoodinessisaviraldiseasetransmittedbyAphids,mostlyindryseasons.

SignsTheviruscausesabnormalthickeningoffruits,

Hardeningoffruittissues,resultingtolessjuice.Growthisretarded,withsmallleaves.

ControlRemovetheaffectedplantimmediatelyfromtheplantation.


Session 4.36. Harvesting and post-harvest handling Method:Lecture,Brainstorming,Questionand answer

ObjectivesAttheendofthesession,participantsareabletoharvestpassionfruitsattherightstage,minimizepost-harvestlossesandprepareformarketing,

Sub topics1.Signsofmaturityandharvestingofpassionfruits2.Post-harvesthandlingofpassionfruits3.Qualityconsiderationsandmarketingofpassionfruits

Time:90Minutes

Signs of maturity and harvesting of passion fruits ● Harvestingtypicallystarts70daysafterfruitsetting. ● Maturefruitsturnpurplewhenripeandfallthemselves,oraredislodgedbywind. ● Theyshouldbecollecteddailytoavoidspoilagefromsoilorganisms. ● Assoonasfruitsstartturningpurpletheycanbepickedfromthevines2or3timesaweek. ● Afruitpickedatthisstagewillbecleancomparedtothatwhichfellonthegroundandcanhave

a shelf life of up to 4 weeks if kept in a cool place. ● Avoidpickingimmaturefruitsfromthevinesastheycanwrinkleleadingtopoorquality.

Post-harvest handling of passion fruits ● Collectfallenfruitsdailytoavoidspoilageonthegroundbymicroorganisms. ● Fortransportandforexport,fruitshouldbepickedatthefirstsignsofturningpurple.Passionfruit,atthisstage,canhaveashelflifeof4-6weeksifstoredandrefrigeratedproperly.

● Fruitsshouldbestoredincool,shadedfacilitiesinpolyethylenesacstoensurethatmoistureisnotlostandfruitsdonotshrivel.Itisimportantthatconditionsaredrysothatmolddoesnotgrow on the fruits.

Quality considerations and marketing of passion fruits ● Passionfruitsareacceptedinthelocalmarket,groceries,hotels,fruitprocessors,exportersandotherinstitutionsbecauseoftheirquality.

● Whentargetingspecificmarkets,gradebeforesellingbysortingoutaccordingtosizes,colouror weight.

● Passionfruitscanbedeliveredtomarketsinbags,basketsoranyotherpackagingthatisspecifiedby the customers.

● Potentialmarketsarewithinthecommunitywheretheyaregrown,urbancentresintheregion,andasvolumesincrease,Aruatown,Lira,Gulu,DRCongo,Moyo,Koboko,Adjumani


● Marketingshouldbedoneafterestablishmentofthedemandandpriceatagivenmarketandindividualfarmersareencouragedtobringtogethertheirproducesoastohavebetterbargainingpower.


4.4 Poultry productivity improvement through programmed hatching in West Nile, Uganda

4.41 IntroductionPoultry rearing has been and is still a traditional activity for vast people in uganda.Despite the socio-economic andagricultural role it plays inuganda, thepoultry industryis still underdeveloped compared to western countries. Chicken are among the majordomesticatedbirds(poultry)thatareofvaluetoman.Over80%ofchickenrearedinugandaare indigenouschicken.Localchickensarethemainpoultryspeciesrearedamongotherslike turkeys, ducks, guinea fowls, geese and pigeons. The birds are mainly kept on freerange system. Local chickens have important role in increasing household food security,income as well as increasing gender equity.

Previousattemptsby individualfarmers,governmentprogrammesandngo’sto introduceexotic breeds of chickenhavehadmajor setbacks due to highmortalities, high cost andpoor quality feeds and lowmarket for birds such as broilers. Broilerswere perceived tohavesoftmeatwhichthepopulationdidnotappreciatehencetheonlymarketwasafewhotels(whereitsdeepfried)intheregion.Layerscanbepromotedbecausethedemandforeggswithintheregionandneighbouringcountriesexceedthecurrentproduction;howevertheyalsoprefer localchickeneggs.Localchickenproduction iseconomicallyviablesincethepricesareveryattractive,withlocalcockscostingbetweenshs.20,000-25,000Perbirdascomparedtoabroileratshs.8,000-10,000/=.

Localchickenarehardyandcanbekeptwithminimumlabourandotherproductioninputs.Thereforehouseholdsthatstabilizetheirflocksizesandimprovehusbandrypracticescansupport their family needs from local chickens whose market is ready at most times in west nile. This is not without the following challenges: low adult body weight, low eggproduction,highdeathrates (duetodiseases,predatorsandaccidents)andslowgrowthrates.Inordertoimprovelocalchickenproduction,emphasisshouldbeonimprovingtheirproduction characteristics.

Production characteristics of local chicken ● Smallflocksize(usuallylessthan30birdsperhousehold) ● Eggsperclutchmayvaryfrom6to20eggs ● Thehensarebroodyandafterhatching,theytakecareofthechicks ● Eggweightmayvaryfrom37to45gramsperegg ● Hatchability of the eggs can be as low as 40% ● Chicksurvivalisquitelow,thechickmortalityrangesfrom50-90% ● Inmaturebirds,themortalityratemaybe1-50% ● Ageatsexualmaturitymarkedbylayingofthefirsteggis6-7monthswhereasincommerciallayersitis4-5months

● Theaveragelengthoflayingcyclemaybe15to20daysandincubationperiodis21days ● Chickrearingperiodmaybe2½-3months ● Afterweaning,openperiodwillbeabout3weeksbeforestartingtolayagain ● Thewholecyclefromlayingoffirsteggtoanotherlayingisabout140days


Uses of poultryPoultryhaveverymanyusesamongwhicharethefollowing:-

● Sourceoffood;eggsandmeatforhumans. ● Sourceofincomethroughsaleofthebirdsandtheirproducts.Aproperlymanagedfarmattractsvisitorsandlearnerswhopayafeetolearngoodmanagementmethods.

● Employment for the farmer and workers on the farm. ● Giftsanddowrypayments ● Chickensareusedtoperformtraditionalfunctionssuchascleansingandofferingsorsacrifices ● Cocksareusedwidelyinestimatingtime ● Chickenalsosupplyfeedstootherlivestock,forexample,chickenmanure,bones,offals,bloodandfeathersareimportantingredientsinanimalandfishfeeds.

● Otherusesinclude; ● Chickenmanureisusedwidelyinsoilfertilityimprovementandinfertilisationoffishponds. ● Chickenfeathersareusedinmakingvariousitemssuchaspillows,jacketsandvariousornamentals. ● Chickenkillvariousdangerousanimalsincludingcaterpillarsandsnakes. ● Chickenarealsousedinentertainment,forexample,cockfightsareanemergingentertainment

in many parts of the world.

Advantages of rearing poultryLocalpoultrykeepinghasmanyadvantagesoverotherenterprisesandtheseinclude;

● Themarketisreadilyavailablethroughouttheyear. ● Startingcapitalisrelativelysmallwhencomparedtootherenterprisesoncommercialscale. ● Poultryrearingrequireslittlelandbecauseoftheirsmallsize.Individualsinareaswherelandis

limited such as in urban areas can also keep poultry at commercial scale. ● Chickenareacceptabletopeople fromvariousculturalbackgroundsandtherearenotmanycommontaboosassociatedwitheatingthem.

● Poultryareeasytohandleandneedminimalphysicalenergy inputssuchthatevenchildren,personswithdisabilities(pwds),womenandhiv/aidsvictimscansuccessfullylookafterthem.

● Disposalisveryeasybecauseoftheirsmallsizesandlittleunitprices.Thismakesthemsuitableforsolvingemergencyproblems.

● Thecostofveterinaryinputsissmallwhencomparedtootherlivestockenterprises.

How to improve production characteristics of the local breedSmall flock size: the numbers of birds are low mainly due to low inputs and deaths. To improvethis,husbandrymethods(housing,feeds/feeding,breedsandhealthcare)shouldbe improvedby eachhousehold that intends to keep local chickenon commercial scale.Thereisneedtoreardifferentagegroupsseparately,especiallychicksshouldbeseparatedandbroodedseparatelyfromtheirmotherstoimprovetheirsurvival.

Few eggs per clutch: this index canbe improved in severalways. First is to improve thebreedbycrossing the local selectedhenswith improvedorparent stock cocks for layingbreedsordualpurposebreeds.Secondly,feedingandothermanagementpracticesshouldbe improved. Thirdly, artificial incubation technologies need to be adopted to supporthatchinglargenumberofeggslaidsincemostimprovedlayingbirdsarenotbroody.Whenimproved cocks are introduced to replace local cocks, efforts shouldbemade to controlinbreedingbyadoptingregular/periodiccockexchangeprogramsamongbenefitinggroups.


Low egg weights: egg weights can be improved by breed improvement and improvednutrition. Identifying cheap local feed resourceswill greatly improve the quality of eggslaid and weight of birds for sale. This will also reduce the time taken for birds to reach sexualmaturity. Small eggs usually have low hatchabilities because eggs that losemorethan18%oftheirwaterdonothatch.Smalleggshavelowwatercontentandanynormallossofwaterduringincubationwilllowerhatchability.Incommerciallayers,theminimumegg weight required for setting in incubator is 52g.

Poor hatchability: severalfactorsaffecthatchabilityincludingtemperature,humidity,eggstorage, egg size, fertility ofmales, nutrition andmany others. To improve local chickennumbers,artificialbroodingneedstobeadopted.

Natural brooding: natural brooding is advantageous in local birds where no artificialincubation technologiesareavailable.Naturalbrooding reduces thenumberofeggs laidperhenperyearandnumberofchicksraised.Thisbroodybehaviourcanbeadoptedforprogrammedhatchingwhereahenisusedtohatchseveralsetsofeggs.Broodinesscanbeeliminatedbycarefulselectionandcrossbreedingwithimprovedbreeds.

Low chick survival: chicklossescanresultfromdiseasesandparasites,accidents,predatorsandpoorenvironmentalconditions.Whenchicksarelefttomovearoundwiththeirmothers,theymaybekilledbyrain,diseasesacquiredfromolderbirds,predatorsandseveralothers.Thisgreatlylowerstheirsurvival.Alsonaturalbroodingwastesproductivetimeofmothers.Adoptingartificialbroodingfor6-8weeksbeforereleasingchicksonfreerangewillimprovetheirsurvivalandincreasethelayingcyclesofthemothers.Alsoadoptingdiseasecontrolmeasuresdiscussedlaterinthisbookwillimprovechicksurvival.

Periodic deaths of mature birds:fromtimetotime,flocksarekilledbynewcastledisease.Introducingregularvaccinationroutinewillimprovetheresistanceofthebirdsagainstthedisease and improve their survival. Newcastle disease vaccines are affordable and localcommunities can institute effective control programs for a particular geographical area.Othervaccinationregimesanddiseasecontrolmeasuresarediscussedlaterinthisbook.

Slow growth rate: this ismainly due to low inputs in production and scavenging natureofthebirds.Activeidentificationoflocalfeedresourcesshouldbeconsideredtoimprovegrowth rates and weights of products from the birds.

Long laying time:thebirdstake15-20daystolayonaverage12eggs.This isexplainableby the scavenging method of feeding. Birds skip certain days during laying. One needstoensureconstantsupplyof feeds tocontinuous lay,goodqualityeggsandchicks.Afterincubation, chick rearingperiods shouldbe takenoverby theowner to free thehens toreturn to lay. Priming hens and making them lay around the same week makes chick rearing quiteeasierandencouragespropermanagement(allin,allout)practices.

All attemptswillbemade to improve theproduction indicesof localbirds in theprojectperiod.Forthepurposeofthismanual,emphasiswillbelaidonbasichusbandrypracticesand programmed hatching of eggs.


4.42 Housing ● Housingisimportantinmonitoringpoultryproduction,diseasecontrol,easedailymanagementandprotectionagainstadverseweatherandpredators.

● Thetypeofhousingisdependentonwhichsystemofproductionistobeadopted.Inallcases,different house designs should cater for stocking rate, equipment in house, ventilation andbuilding materials to be used.

● Extensive system requires large space for birds tomove around to feed and scavenge. Semiintensivesystemhasahousewithfencethatsurroundsarun(opengrassedarea)wherethebirdsrelaxatdaytime.Theintensivesystemisthemostapplicablewherespaceislimitingandwhenyouwanttoimprovefeeding,diseasecontrolandmanagementandultimatelyprofits.

● Agoodpoultryhouseshouldprovideaconduciveenvironmentforoptimalproduction. ● Propersecurityshouldbetakencareoftoprotectyourbirdsandinstallationsfrompredatorsandthieves.

Space allowance/stocking rate ● Spaceallowedperbirdshouldbeadequatetoavoidovercrowding.Usually5to7birdspermetre

square are recommended if they are completely housed but up to 13 birds can stay in one metre square in night housing with patches.

● Whenconstructingahouse,considerthespacerequiredbybirdsandotherfittings(feeders,drinkers,heaters,patches,etc).

Humidity ● The house should be constructed to ensure that the moisture content in air (humidity) inside the houseiskeptlowtoavoiddiseases.

● Sourcesofmoistureinthehouseincludeexhaledair,faecalmatter,evaporationfromdrinkersetc.

Temperature ● Thehouseshouldconserveheatforchickswhilethereshouldbenoheatbuild-upinadultbirdsunits(becausefeathersareinsulatorsandpreventheatlossfrombirds).

● Chicksof1-4weeksofagerequirewarmthwhileadultbirdsshouldbekeptinroomtemperature(20-25°c).

Effects of high temperature ● Increasewaterintakethatleadstoincreasedfrequencyofdefecationthataffectslitterquality.

Birds in hot houses are seen with open mouths breathing rapidly with extended wings. ● Eggs laid may be of small size and thin shelled as birds lose water and more carbondioxide. ● Reductionineggsize(aswaterevaporatesfromtheeggs)anddeteriorationofeggquality.

How to reduce heat in poultry units ● The walls of the house should be tall enough to keep the house cool. ● Poultryhousesshouldhavefreeaircirculationtoreduceexcessiveheat. ● Selectionofappropriateroofingmaterialthatreduceheatinthehousee.G.Thatchgrassisagoodinsulatortoheatthoughitdoesnotlastforlongandharboursvermins(likerats,snakes)and parasites.

● Theareaaroundpoultryhouseshouldhavegrassesorshortcropstoreducesolar/heatradiationfrom the ground to the house. High canopy trees help to reduce heat in house but tall buildings ortoomanyshrubsaroundhousepreventairmovementsandhabourpredators.


Ventilation ● Ventilationhelpsinremovalofstaleair,excessheatandtoomuchmoisturefromthehouse. ● Ventilationisachievedthroughbuildingsidewallsforpoultryhouseshalfway.

Lighting ● Lightingfacilitiesshouldbeavailableinthehouseofintensivelymanagedpoultryegbrooders. ● Lightinginducessexualmaturityinyoungfemales(pullets)andcontinuoussupplyoflightmakes

birds eat and grow fast.

The brooderAbrooderisahouseforrearingchicksforthefirst4-8weeksoflife.A brooder is a building or a room which has the following features:

● Conservesheati.E.Shouldnotgetcoldveryfastandshouldbeproperlysealedsoasnottoallowin cold air. It should not also allow too much heat to build up inside.

● Hasadequateventilationi.E.Windowsandventilatorscanbeopenedorclosedwhennecessary ● Shouldbeleakproof,thatis,shouldnotallowrainwatertosipintothehouseandtherainshould

not splash into the house from the sides. ● Shouldhaveroomforexpansionasthechicksgrowandshouldpreventverminandrodentsfrom

entering inside. ● Artificiallybroodingchicksafterhatchingimprovestheirsurvivalbyreducingincidencesofdeathfromsomediseases,predatorsandaccidents.

Note: young chicks are very vulnerable to cold, dehydration, starvation anddiseases, socareshouldbetakentoavoidthese.


Management of poultry housesTheunderlyingprincipleistokeepthehousetidy,cleanandsafeforbirds.Themanagementpractices include:

● Areas around poultry house should be kept clean. ● Anydeadbird found inhouse shouldbe removed immediately andburiedor burntbutnot

thrown in rubbish pit. ● Keepunnecessaryvisitorsawayfrompoultryunits. ● Carryoutroutinerepairsonthehouseasdepreciationsetsinwithtime. ● The poultry houses should be enclosed (fenced) to form a unit. ● Keeplittercleanandinafriablestate.

Stores (feeds, eggs) ● Thefeedstoreshouldbearoomorahousewhichdoesnotleakandisburglar&verminproof. ● Thewalls of this house should be plastered and the finishingmadewith a slippery layer ofcement(oranyslipperymaterial)toavoidrodentsclimbingandparasiteshidinginthem.Thedoorshouldalsobefittedfirmly.

● Thestoreshouldhaveslatesorraisedstructuresonwhichfeed/eggtraysarepackedtoavoidcontactwiththefloor(figure4).Sacksoffoodshouldbepackedinstackswithspacesbetweenthemforaircirculation.

● Youshouldalwaysavoid the use of rat poison in the store as it can contaminate the feed. Resort to traps or cats.

Figure 4: Rack on which feed in sacks can be piled

Sickbay/ isolation room ● A sick bay room on a big farm can be constructed on each rearing house so that you don’t mix birdsfromdifferenthouses.Thisisadiseasecontrolmeasure.

● Inthesickbayroom,youkeepbirdswhichyoususpecttobesick,unproductiveandinjurede.G.Bypecking.Attimessickonescanbekeptinanisolationunitorsickbayfromwheretheycanbewatched closely and treated or culled in case of a contagious disease.

● Birdswhichareverysickshouldbedisposedofastheymaynotregaintheirproductionabilityto the maximum.

Litter ● Rearingchickenontheflooristhemostcommoninugandabecauseitischeap.Varioustypesofmaterialsareusedaslitterincludecoffeehusks;woodshavings,ricehusks,crushedgroundnuthulls,andchoppedmaize/sorghumstalks(stover)amongothers.

● Thefloor isfirstcoveredwiththe littertoadepthof5-8cm(toavoidburialofchicks)and isgraduallyincreasedto30cm,byaddingmorelitterevery2-3weeks.

● Thelittershouldnotbemouldy.Thelittershouldbekeptdryandfriablebyreplacingwettedpartand raking daily.


Feeders and water troughs ● Feedersshouldbeadequateinsizefortheagegroupandmaybelinearorconical.Linearfeedersareeasytomakefromwood(figure5a).

● Likeplastics,woodisdifficulttodisinfect.Conicalfeederscanbeplasticormetallic. ● Youcandesignyourownfeedersfromironsheetsasinfigure5b.Metallicfeedersareeasyto

clean and disinfect. ● The feeders should be constructed to meet the following requirements:

● easytocleanandfill. ● should not allow feed spillage or wastage. ● shouldnotallowfeedcontaminationbydroppings(faecalmatter).

● Linearfeedersshouldhaverotatingbarontoptopreventbirdsfromperchinganddefecatingonthefeed.Thebaralsolimitsthespacewithfeedsurfaceandsopreventingbirdsfromenteringthe feeders and causing wastage by scratching.

● Feeding space should be adequate and feeders should be placed regularly in the house to ensure that all birds feed.

● Birdsofsameagemaybeseentobeofdifferentsizesduetocompetitionforfeeds.Strongerbirdswillout-competesmalleroneswhichgetstunted.

● Whenusinglinearfeeders,considerthetwosidesfromwhichthebirdsfeed,forexample,ifthefeederis1minlength,itmeansspaceforfeedingis2m(onbothsides).

● Drinkers should be easy to clean and be able to keep water clean and cool. ● Drinkers should not be too deep for chicks to access water and should not allow water spillage inthelitter.Thedrinkersforchicksshouldbeshallowtoavoiddrowning.

● Allow 2cm per chick and 5cm per bird for growers and adults as space requirement for drinking. ● Drinkersshouldnotbeeasilycontaminatedandalsoshouldnotallowexcessiveevaporationof

water. ● Youcanimprovisedrinkerslocallyfromjerrycansbycuttingtwostripstocreateopenings(whichcanallowtheheadofabirdtopasstogetwater)ononeofthebroadsidesandclosingthelid,place the jerrycan on the opposite side which is not cut.

Wooden feed troughs are cheap but difficult to disinfect.


Light source ● Lightisimportantinthebrooderbecause:

● It enables the chicks to see food and water source. ● Italsoeliminatespossibilityofchicksgettingfrightenedbydarkness.

● Lightinthehousecanbesuppliedbyelectricity,solarorkerosenelamps.Kerosenelampshavethedisadvantageoflettingofftoxicfumesandbeingpronetofireaccidents.

Heat sourceChicks have poorly developed feathers (thermo regulatory system) and therefore needexternal source of heat. This is known as artificial brooding.Heat sources in a brooder include:

● Electric bulbs. ● Kerosene. ● Charcoalstove/pots:itispronetofireaccidentsandmayemittoxicfumeslikecarbonmonoxide.Itshouldneverrestdirectlyonthelitter.Placeitonametalsheetorconcreteslaborbricks.Thestoveislefttoburnoutsideuntilitisredhotbeforebeingbroughtin.Ashmaybepouredoverittoreducethetemperatureandtoletthecharcoalburnforalongertime.Therearetailormadebrooderstovesontheopenmarkets.

Nest box ● Nestscanbeconstructedfromwood,boxes,cutjerrycans,basinsorshallowexcavations. ● Thenestsmayrestonthefloororraisedabovegroundtoavoiddampness. ● Thefloorofthenestshouldhaveenoughsoftlitterabout5-8cmdeepandairgapsforventilation.The littermay be old clothes, cotton, dry grass, coffee husks and any other soft dump freematerial.

● Nestboxesmadeofwood suchasbelowcan theconstructed.Theymeasure30cm lengthx30cmwidthandheightof25cm.Eachindividualboxcatersforabird.

Figure8:individualnests.Oneonthelefthaswideentrancewhiletheentranceofthatinthe right is reduced.


4.43 Feeds and feeding ● Localbirdslikeanyotherlivestock,needtofeedwellinordertogrowquicklyandresistdiseases. ● Insickness,wellfedbirdsrecoverfasterthanthemalnourishedones. ● Poorfeedsdonotonlycausestuntedgrowthandpoorproductionbutalsocausepoorhealth. ● Themajorsourceoffoodforlocalchickenisbyscavenging ● Thebirds scavengearound thebackyardduringdaytime fromenvironment,eating feed likeinsects,seeds,grit,earthworms,nutsandgrainsastheyfeedontheirown

● It is through scavengingwhere theyobtain a balanceddietwith vitaminsbeingprovidedbyvegetablesandothergreenstheyeat.

● Scavengingisnotalwaysenoughandthereforeaneedtosupplementthebirds. ● Birdsareusuallysupplementedwithtablescraps,greenfodders,grainsofcerealsandinsects

from near gardens. ● Whensupplementing,givebalancedrationcontainingproteins,carbohydrates,fats&oils,fibre,vitaminsandminerals.

● Chickenneedwaterevery15to20minutesandtherefore,watershouldbeavailableallthetime. ● Feedscanbeimprovedathomebyaddingsoyabeans,fishmeal,bloodmeal,mixtureofvitamins

and minerals and many others. ● Greensmaybefedtobirdsattheageof1monthasitcontainsvitaminsandothernutrients.Greensareresponsiblefortheyellowcolouroftheeggyolk,whichsomecustomersprefer.Thesegreensincludeamaranthus(dodo),cabbage,russiancomfrey,lablabandothernon-poisonousgreens/grasses.

● Leavesofplantsmaybedriedandgroundtoformleafmealsthatcanbefedtobirdsandotheranimalsforsupplementation.

● Watercanbeprovidedlocallyingoodcleancontainerslikebasinsorcutjerrycans. ● Wateris largelydemandedbybirdsandit’sabsolutelyessentialthatitshouldbeavailablealltimestolocalbirdstoo.

Feed storage ● Whenfeedsarebought,theyshouldbepilledonracksorraisedstructuresfromthefloortoavoiddampsoaking.

● Thestoreshouldbeleakproofandfreefromverminlikerodentswhichcausefeedwastageanddisease spread.

● Storeshouldhaveenoughventilation. ● Feedshouldnotbestoredformorethan3monthsasitcangobad(rancidity),becomeunpalatableandevenpoisonous(growthoffungus).

● It is recommended that feed should be as fresh as possible and if possible not stay for more than one month.

Note: mineralsarealsotakeninlikefromthegrainsandothervegetableswhicharevitalforgoodhatchabilityofeggs,hardshellandboneformation.Donotgivetoomuchcommonsalt to chicken as it damages their kidneys.

In all systems of poultry management, not only will production be affected markedly ifbirdshaveinsufficientwatertodrink,butalsointheyoungchicksandbirdsofanyageinhotweather,itmaytakeonlyafewhoursfordeathtotakeplaceifthereistotalabsenceof water.

You can also grow these greens yourself. Birds fed on greens should be dozed against worms monthly.Beforegreensarefedtobirds,theyshouldbewashedinasolutioncontainingsalt(tokillparasiteeggs/larvalstages)andrinsedwithfreshwater.


4.44 Breeding

Breeds of chicken in ugandaTherearecommonly3breedsbasedonmain typesofproductsexpected, the layersandbroilers.Dualpurposebreedslikekuroilershavealsobeenintroduced.Ofallchickensrearedinuganda,over80%are indigenous chicken. The local chickens as already statedabove,withoutimprovementinbasichusbandrypracticesremainlowoutputbreedsdespitegoodmarket for them.

MatingMating activity in chickens is usually initiated bymales and this done through courting.Cocks are polygamous though some males and females mate more often. A fair mating ratio forgoodfertilityis1cockforevery8to10hens.Highernumbersofthehenswilloverworkthe cocks and so fertility of the eggs laid will be low. A cock may mate 10 to 30 times a day dependingon availability of females and competition fromothermales. Toomany cockswillalsoleadtofightingandlesstimeformating.Morematingsadayreducesthevolumeof semen and number of sperm cells.

One single mating can lead to fertile eggs for upto 3 days. Replace old cocks with young onesfromdifferentplacestoavoidinbreedingandalsotoensurefertility.Oldcockstendtohavelesslibidoandoftengettiredfromathleticfemales.Donotmatemalesandfemalesthat are closely related. This is inbreeding and lowers the general productivity of birdsand resistance against infections. Do not keep cocks in a place for more than six months. Exchange with a neighbour or buy another cock.

Laying Most local chicken start laying eggs around 7 months of age. This stage of laying the first egg is calledpubertyor sexualmaturity. It is about4 to5months in improvedor exoticlayers. Hens can lay without the presence of cocks. For mating and fertilisation of eggs to occur, cocks should be introduced among hens about 5months of age. Eggs laid beforemating are not fertilised and cannot hatch.

Mosteggsareovalandeggslaidbythesamehentendtobeofthesamesizeandshape.Abnormalities in shape are many and may include flat sided, elongated, ball-shaped,wrinkled, shell-less, thin shells or rough shells. Some of the abnormalities are due togenetics,diseases,poorfeedingorharshenvironmentaltemperaturesandabnormalitiesintheoviduct.Diseaseslikenewcastledisease,infectiousbronchitiscauseroughorwrinkledegg shells. Egg size varies from bird to bird. Young birds lay small eggs. If hens are notgettingenoughwaterorproteinsinfeeds,theeggswillbesmallinsize.

NestsVarious materials are used for making nests for the chicken to lay from. These includedrygrass,drybanana leaves,cotton, sand,oldclothesandothercereal straws.Thenestmaterial should be clean and be able to retain warmth. The materials can be put in shallow holes, cut jerrycans, boxes, baskets, broken pots and other related materials. The nestshould be free from dump conditions and parasites. The nest should be shallow to allow alleggstohavecontactwiththebodyofthehen.Themotherprovideswarmth,moistureto the eggs and turns them regularly.Warmth,moisture and turning are the threemainfactors necessary for the eggs to hatch.


Nestsmaybelocatedonorabovethegroundbutinahousewherethehensareprotectedfrompredators,thievesandbadweather.Hensoftenleavetheirnestsduringincubationinsearchforfood.Thisactofleavingtheeggsreduceswithasincubationprogresses.Thishaseffect on hatchability in two ways:

● Theeggscooldownandthisaffectschickdevelopment ● The eggs may get contaminated by dirty legs an body as the hen scratches for food in wet or

muddy placesTherefore,foodandwatershouldbeputnearthenestforthehenstohaveeasyaccess.

Henincubatingincutjerrycancoveredwithsacs.Abasinoffeedstowardstheentrancetothe nest

Care of hatching eggsHens may lay one egg per day or skip some days. A total of 8 to 30 eggs may be laid. Thisnumbervaries fromhentohenandseasontoseason.Underscavengingconditions,chickenslaymoreeggsinthewetseasonthandryseasonduetoavailabilityofplentyfood(green grass, insects or worms). Before incubation starts, eggs should be stored in cooldry place as high temperatures like in dry season affects chick development in the egg.Hightemperaturesmakeeggslosewaterandbecomesmallsized.Eggsthathavelostalotofwaterdonothatchor iftheyhatch,thechicksaresmallandweakandoftendie.Hightemperaturesalsoinitiateembryodevelopmentbeforetheactualincubationstartsandsothese embryos will die if incubation is not started soon. Eggs that stay for more than 7 days beforeincubationlosetheirhatchabilitygreatly.After7days,hatchabilitydropsbyabout4%everydaythatpassesbywithoutincubation.Eggslaidearlierarebetteridentifiedandsold or eaten as they may fail to hatch.

Theeffectofenvironmentismoreadverseduringdryseason.Hightemperaturesandlowhumidity affect hatchability. Eggs exposed to high temperatures and low humidity may losemanyofthedevelopingembryos.Indryweatheraswaterevaporatesfromtheeggs,apartialvacuumiscreated insidetheeggwhichwillbe filledupbyair.As theairmovesin, throughholes in theegg shell, disease causingorganismsare taken in aswell, hencecontaminationandrotting.Coveringeggswithpolythenebags incooldryplaceuntil thehenisreadytoincubatethemcanminimizewaterevaporationduringstorageandimprovehatchability.

Inwetseason,theproblemmostcommonlyencounteredisrottingofeggs.Thismayoccur:


Insidethemotherbeforetheeggsarelaidduetodisease(bacteria,viruses,mycoplasma)affecting the mother. This can be controlled by keeping the birds healthy through vaccinations, proper feeding to improve their resistance to disease and providing goodenvironmentbyhousingthechickens.

Outside after the eggs are laid through contamination with mud or chicken faeces of the hen’s body. This is true when birds scratch wet material in search for food and carry the waste material on their legs and lower abdominal feathers. After contamination of egg surfaceby thegerms, theypenetrate theegg through thepores (smallholes) and causethedeathandrottingofdevelopingchick.Providefoodnearthenestsofincubatinghenstoavoideggrotting.

Programmed hatchingProgrammed hatching is a fast and cheap way of increasing numbers of chickens on a farm. The essence of the program is the synchronization of hatching by a group of local hens in ordertoproducelargenumbersofdayoldchicksofthesameage.Theadvantagesinclude:

● Manychicksarehatchedatthesamedayandsoitiseasiertovaccinateandmanagethebirds. ● Batchformationofthebirdsiseasier,whichmakesitalsoeasiertofeedingroups. ● Farmersareabletoplaninadvancewhentomarketthebirds. ● Noincubatorsarerequiredhencetheinnovationisappropriateforruralareas. ● Birdsmay hatch up to seven times a year comparedwith two or three timeswith ordinaryincubation.

● Chicks are produced at cheaper costs since farmers don’t need to transport them from distant towns,asisthecasewithcommercialchicks.

Toproducefertileeggs,itisrecommendedtokeeponecockforeveryeighthens.Eachhenisgivenitsownlayingnest(whichshouldbenumbered).Adecoyoramarkedboiledegg,isplacedineachnest.Everydaytheeggslaidareremovedandthedateofremovalismarkedwith a pencil on each egg. The eggs are put on clean egg trays with broad ends facing up andstoredinasecureundisturbedplace.Usually,afterawhile,onebirdstartsincubatingbystayingovernightontheboiledegg.Thisbirdisnotgivenanyfertileeggsbutislefttosit on the decoy or marked boiled egg for about ten days or until others start to incubate. Afterabouttendaysfromwhenthefirstbirdstartedsittingontheegg,mostotherhenswillhavestartedsittingontheirdecoyaswell.Allincubatinghensarethengiven10to12fertileeggseach,startingfromtheoneswhichwerelaidlast.

When youwant the birds to hatch on thursdays, they are given the eggs onwednesdayevening,exactlythreeweeksearlier.Themethodworksbecausechickensdon’tcounttheeggs which they incubate. After removing the hatched chicks on thursdaymorning, thehenscanbegivenanewbatchoffertileeggstositonifdesired.Sanitationoflayingnestsisimportant,aswellasfoodandwaterfortheincubatinghens.Alsoimportantisexternalparasite control in incubating birds.

Whenthechicksareremovedfromthehenstheyareplacedinabroodingarea.Coffeeorrice husks or any other good litter material are poured on the ground to form a deep litter. Duringthefirstweek,thehusksarecoveredwithpapertopreventchicksfromeatingthehuskswhichcanblock theirdigestive tract. Inorder to teachthechicks to feed, the firstthreedayschickfeedisspreadonthepaper.Thenextthreedays,feedisprovidedinnewandunusedcartoneggstrays,andafterthatfeedingtroughsareprovided.Acheapsourceofheatforthechicks isprovidedthroughcharcoalbriquettes;charcoalgrit ismixedwith


sticky soil and moulded in balls which are then left to dry and become hard. The briquettes are lighted and placed in a clay pot which is placed on some stones in the brooding area. When the chicks are small, they need to be kept together and close to the heat sourcethrough the construction of a round enclosure in the room; papyrus mats can providecheap enclosure material.

The programmed hatching approach has the potential of atleast tripling original stock numbers in less than a year. Crossing more productive poultry strains with the localchickens on the other hand can improve egg numbers, sizes and body weights of thesubsequent offsprings while maintaining the ease of management and disease resistance oftheindigenousbreed.Crossbreedingwithotherbreedslikekuroilersorimprovedcocksis encouraged.

BroodingThis is themostdelicate stage in the life of the chicksbecause they are very vulnerabletodiseases andother stressful conditions, causingheavy lossesduring this periodwhennotdonecorrectly.Ifthebroodingmethodsaresatisfactory,mortalityinchicksshouldnotexceed5%duringthefirst8weeksoflife.Farmersshouldthereforebeverycarefulduringbrooding.

Preparation of the brooder to receive the chicksThe period in the brooder is from hatching to 6 – 8 weeks for local birds. The following activitiesshouldbecarriedbeforechicksarrive:

● Thenecessaryrepairsshouldbemadetothebuilding.Ensurethatthehousedoesnotleak;rainwaterdoesnotenterthewindows,donotletindraughts(coldwind)androdentsorpredators.It may be necessary to block somewindows with papyrusmats, cardboards or old sack toreducedraughtsandregulateventilation.Donotusepolythenematerialasitdoesnotallowaircirculationthroughthem.

● Acquire hurricane lamps or gas lamps as sources of light if necessary. The target should be to providebrightlightwithwhichyoucanalsoreadnewspapersintheroom.Hangthelampstoprovideuniformlightinthebrooder.

● Cleananddisinfectthebrooder.Ifithasbeenusedbefore,removetheoldlitter.Washandcleanthewholeroom,theoutsideconcreterunsandequipmentinside.Thehouseisleftfor2-4weeksto fallow (idle) before bringing in new batch. This ensures that most disease agents die.

● Theflooriscoveredwithlitter3-4inchesindepth.Thelittershouldnotbedampandmouldynorshoulditbedusty.Newspapers/feedsacksareputoverthelitterintheearlydaysofchicks’lifeinthebrooder.Thisensuresthatthechicksthathavenotdevelopedtheirolfactorysensedonotmistakethelitterforfoodandeatit,causingimpaction.Thenewspaperalsoreducesthechancesofnavelinfectioninthefirstfewdaysoflife.Thefeedisplacedinsmallmounds(notspread)onnewspapers,flatcardboardsorplatesuntilthechicksbecomeaccustomedtothefeeders.Donotusepolythenepapertocoverthelitterbecauseitdoesnotabsorbwaterfromdroppings or spillage from troughs.

● Thesharpcornersofthebroodershouldberoundedtopreventthechicksfrompilingincornersandsuffocating.Achickguard,whichisacircleofplywood,cardboard,plastic,papyrusmatorwiremesh,canbemadearoundtheheatsourceifthebrooderisverylarge.Itlimitsmovementofchicksawayfromheatsource.Thechickguardis3mindiameterandatleast2fthighforevery200 chicks


● Thebrooderisheatedforatleast12-24hours(3hoursinemergencies)beforethechicksarestockedin.Monitorthetemperatureusingthebehaviorofchicks.Whenthetemperatureishigh,chickswillrunawayfromheatsourceandbreatherapidlywithopenmouth.Whentemperatureislow,theywillgatheraroundtheheatsource.

Chicks guard or ring made of card board. This helps to keep chicks not to stray away.

Design of a local brooder with clay pot heater


4.45 Health care and disease managementThereareseveralcausesoflossofbirdsonfarmsthatleadtothelownumbersofchickeninhouseholds.Theyrangefromdiseasesandparasites,predators,starvation,environmentalconditions and accidents. These are most common among the chicks. All efforts should be madetoreducethesecausesamongbirdsifwearetoimprovetheirsurvival.

Accidents in chick stage The following accidents occur during the early days of the chicks’ life and may lead to large numbers of mortalities.

● Suffocation:itcanbecausedbycarbonmonoxidepoisoning,ifcharcoalandkeroseneareusedwhenyouhaveabrooder.Itcanalsooccurifthechicksarefrightenedandpileinoneofthecorners of the room (brooder).

● Fallingofchicksinwateriscommonastheyattempttodrinkwaterfrombiggercontainers. ● Trampling:bypeople (workers)orby fellowchicksduring stampedeor knockedby vehicles/bicyclesiflefttomovescavenge.

● Heat or cold stress. ● Impactionwithlitter,fibresoffeed-sackorwhendryfeedisgivenwithnowater.

Note: these can also occur in mature birds but are common among the young birds and shouldbeavoidedtominimizeonlosses.

Thoughnotaccidents,somediseasescancauseseveredeathsinthechicksinbrooder.Thediseases include: newcastle disease, gumboro, salmonellosis (bacillarywhite diarrhoea),navel ill (collibacillosis), aspergillosis/mycotoxicosis (mouldy feed) and coccidiosis. Thesediseases are mainly neglected in local chicken production but must be considered when artificial brooding is practiced.

Predators ● Thecommonpredators include;eagles, fox,monitor lizards,snakes,wilddogs/cats,andrats.Thesecommonlyattackthechicks.

● Thisoccurswhenhomesteadsareleftbusyhenceattractingthepredators ● Tokeeppredatorsaway,homesteadsneedtobekeptcleanandfreeofbushes.Alsoonecanrearchicksfor6-8weeksinhousetoletthemgrowandthisincreaseschicksurvival.

Ways of introduction of infections into poultry farm/unit.Infectionsgainentrancetoaflockfromvarioussources,theseinclude:-

1. Humans:

● Peoplewhocometovisityourfarmeitherforduties,curiosity,ignoranceorcarelessness. ● Frequently,footwearandclothingaresuspectedasthebiggestcarrierofdisease. ● Whenanoutbreakoccurs at theneighbourhood, there shouldbenomovementof birdsbetweenthetwoplaces.Farmersshouldalwaystrytolimitthenumberofpeople(visitors,traders and casual workers)

● Peoplewhoshould inevitablyenter thepoultryhousesshouldweardisinfectedovercoatsand pass through a footbath at the entrance of the house.

2.Recoveredbirds(carriers)

● Birdsthathaverecoveredfromadiseasebutstillhavethegerms(infectiousorganisms)intheir bodies.


● Whiletheyappearhealthy,thegermscontinuetomultiplyinthebodyandcanbereleasedintotheenvironment.

● Ifadiseasehappenstopersistonthefarm,depopulatethewholeflock,clean,disinfectandrestthehouseforsometime(atleasttwomonths)andthenrestock.

● Donotmixdifferentagegroupsofbirds(adultbirdsandchicks).

3. Mixed species of poultry

● Keepingdifferenttypesofbirdstogethere.G.Keepingchickenwithducks,turkey,pigeonsetc. ● One group of bird can transmit diseases to another e.G. Chicken transmit a disease (black headdiseasesorhistomoniasis)ofturkeyswhichkillstheturkeysveryfast.

4. Sick bay (on large farms)

● Sick birds collected into one room (sick bay) and later returned after recovery to theirrespectivehousesmaycarrybackmorethanthediseaseforwhichtheywerebroughtinfor.

● Atleasteachhouse(iftherearedifferenthousesonfarm)shouldhaveitsownsickbay.

5. Poultry markets

● Avoidbuyingbirdsforbreedingfrompoultrymarkets. ● Whenyoutakebirdstomarketandtheyarenotbought,youshouldkeepthemawayfrom

other birds as much as possible to reduce chances of disease spread.

6. Carrier mothers

● Some diseases can be got from mothers. Rear chicks separately from mothers. ● Selloffbirdswhosechicksalwaysdiewithdiseasefromsimilarsignsevenaftergoodcare.

General signs of ill health in birdsThese include:

● Fever, ● Listlessness, ● Dullness, ● Drowsiness ● Drooping wings. ● Lossofappetite(anorexia)andbodyweakness. ● Ruffledfeathers ● Mucous discharge from the mouth and nostrils ● Increasedrespiratoryrate,cough,andsneezing,trachealralesandlabouredbreathing. ● Sudden death ● Bluish-purplecombsandskinduetooxygendeficiencyinblood(cyanosis)ofcombs&wattles

prior to death. ● Diarrhoea-watery (whitish, greenish faeces which may contain mucous) and dirty/matted

feathers. ● Dehydration&emaciation ● Swollenwattles,sinuses,legorwingjoints,footpads&sternalbursa. ● Necktilting(torticolis),convulsionsandtremors.

Note: whenyouobservetheabovesigns,itisalwaysadvisedtonotifyaveterinariannearesttoyouforadviceonthenextstep.


Health care in local chicken ● Birds that are well managed, well fed and vaccinated against the common diseases usually

remain healthy and produce well. ● Drugsdonotreplacegoodmanagementandwillonlykeepdowninfectionsbutarenoguarantee

that disease outbreak will not occur. ● Whenadministeringdrugs,youshouldalways followthe instructionsof themanufacturerorveterinarypersonnelnearyou.Inanoutbreakofdiseases,alwaysseekassistancefromveterinarypersonnelasmostpoultrydiseasespresentwithgeneralsignsandmayrequirepost-mortemfordiagnosis.

Common diseases of poultryNew castle disease .

● Spreads mainly through oral and respiratory discharges and droppings of infected birds. ● Otherwaysofspreadcanbethroughclothes,otherpoultry,equipment,trucks,personnel,pets

and rodents.Signs include:

● Lossofappetite,droopingwings,dullnessandbirdshidetheirheadsunderthewings. ● Greenish – yellow diarrhoea ● Respiratorysigns–noisybreathing,sneezing,coughingandgasping. ● Discharge from nostrils and eyes ● Muscularabnormalitiesliketwistedneck(figure9),stiffnessandprostration.. ● Centralnervoussignsliketremors,compulsivemovementsanddeath. ● In layingbirds,productionalmostcompletelyceaseswithina fewdays.Eggs laidareof lowquality andmay be soft-shelled, roughened, or deformed (figure 9). Production is resumedslowly,ornotatall,dependingonthestageoflayatthetimeofinfection.

Figure9:dullbirdandonewithtwistedneck(left)andeggswithabnormalshells(right)innewcastle disease.

Figure 10: poultry mixed in local market. This is where infection to other birds can be got. Donotvisityourbirds immediatelywithoutchanginganddisinfectionwhencomingfromsuch a place.


Treatment ● Treatmentofnewcastlediseaseisofnovalue.

Prevention ● Avaccinationprogramshouldbeadoptedandstrictlyadheredtoe.G.1Stdoseatday1old,at2weeks,thengiveboosterdoseafterevery2-3months.

● Avoidintroducingnewbirdsintoyourstock. ● Highstandardofsanitationshouldbepracticedandavoidintroductionofdiseaseonfarm. ● Newcastle disease is a reportable disease. All suspected outbreaks of the disease must bereportedtoanimalhealthauthoritiesimmediately.

Marek’s disease ● Signs usually do not appear prior to 3 weeks of age and peak between 2 and 7 months. ● Difficulttodiagnoseasthesignsareusuallyvaguebutusuallyinvolvepartialparalysisofthelegs(onelegnormalandtheotherparalysed)(figure11)andattimesdistensionofthecrop(foodstoragesackintheneck)duetonerveparalysis.

● The skin at feather roots (follicles) are also swollen. ● Blindness occurs in some birds.

Treatment and control ● Notreatmentbutthevaccineisavailable. ● Commercialflocksareusuallyimmunizedviainjectionat18daysofincubationorathatching.Revaccinationisnotnecessaryandimmunityisusuallylife-long.

Figure 11: birds with limb paralysis in mareks’ disease.

Infectious bronchitis (ib)Causedbyavirusandspreadrapidlyandcanaffect100%ofbirds ina flockwithvaryingseverity.

Signs ● Commonlyobservedsignsare;gasping,coughingandsneezingdischargefromnoseandeyes. ● Inchicks, there isweakness,depression,andhuddlingnearheatsources.Mortality inyoungchicks isusuallynegligibleunless thedisease is complicatedbyanother infectiousagent likebacteria.

● Inlayingbirds,eggproductiondecreases(upto50%)andeggshaveraggedshapes(figure12).Effectsonproductioncanlast6-8weeksorlonger.

Treatment ● Broad-spectrum antibiotic can help because the disease is usually complicated by bacterialinfections.

● Forbabychickswiththedisease,itmaybehelpfultoincreasetheroomtemperature,encouragethebirdstoeatandcorrectanyapparentmanagementdeficiencies.


Figure 12: eggs with abnormal shapes due to infectious bronchitis

Prevention: ● Vaccination.Vaccinesareeitherseparateorcombinedwiththatfornewcastledisease.

Fowl poxItiscausedbyavirus.Birdsofallagescanbeaffectedbutit’sofmoredangertochicksandlaying birds. Disease is spread by contact.

Signs ● Wartslikenodules/scabsarecommononcombs,wattlesandalsoaroundtheeye/baseofthebeaks(figure13).Eyelidscanbeclosedbythesenodules(cutaneousform).

● Anotherformattacksthemouthorupperairways,wherewhitenodulesareseeninthemouth,tongue,throat,nostrilsandeyes(figure14).Causesmoredeathsasthebirdscannoteatand/or drink.

● Eggproductioninlayingbirdsdecreases.Deathratewithfowlpoxisgenerallylowanddeathsaremainlyduetosuffocationandstarvation.

Figure 13: scab on the heads of chicken due to fowl pox.


Figure 14: thick adherent scab in the mouth (red arrow) andexternal nodule (yellow arrow) between the eye and nostril.

Prevention and control ● Vaccinationisrecommended.Usuallyat6–8and12weeksofage. ● Antibiotics and vitamins help quick recovery. You can also smear vaseline containing someantiseptic(iodine)onthewounds.

Gumboro (infectious bursal disease)DiseaseofgreatimportancethesedayscausedbyavirusGenerally occurs in chicks between 3 – 6 weeks of age. Thediseasemainlyaffectstheglandcalledbursaoffabriciuswhichisoneofthemostimportantdefence organs located around the cloaca. The disease can be spread by contact with contaminated materialsandalsobymeansofvariousparasitesthatpickupandcarrythevirus.Strikingfeaturesincludesuddenandhighmorbidityrate,strikingdeathcurve(highdeathsinshorttime)andrapidflockrecovery.

Signs: ● Signsobservedonlyafter3weeksofage.There isasuddenonset,particularlywith thefirstoutbreak.Thereisdepression,lackofappetite,ruffledfeathers,andadroopyappearance.

● There isdiarrhea thatmaybewhitebutoccasionally, there ispassingofbloodandstrainingduringdefecation.

● Ventpeckingiscommon. ● Numberofaffectedbirdsisveryhighintheflock.Numberofdeathsisusuallylowalthoughitcanbesubstantial(approaching30%)ifhusbandryispoor.Deathsinaflockusuallypeaksandrecedes within a week of onset.

● Postmortemisrequiredtoestablishtheactualdiagnosisofthediseasebytheveterinarian.Treatment

● Treatmentisofnovalue.However,goodhusbandryandadequatetemperaturemayreducetheseverityofthedisease.

Prevention ● Protection isachievedbyvaccinationwithagumborovaccineandsometimeswithabooster

dose or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Pullorum disease (bacillary white diarrhoea) ● Commondiseaseofchickstransmittedthrougheggsfromtheirmother ● Afterhatching,thediseasecanbetransmittedtootherchicksthroughpeckingcontaminatedequipment,foodandbreathing.


Signs ● Oftenassociatedwithwhitediarrhoeaandhighdeathratesinyoungbirdswhileadultsshowno

signs but can be carriers. ● Chickshaveruffledfeathers,appearsleepy,don’teat,gatheraroundheatsourceandmakeshrill(highpitched)sounds.Chickshavesomebreathingproblemsandarestunted.Birdshaveswollenleg joints.

● Highdeathsareexperiencedinchickslessthan10-days-oldandpeaksat2-3weeksafterhatching..Numberofdeathsvarygreatlybutoftenisveryhighandcanapproach100%.Numberofdeathsisincreasedbystress,chilling,orpoorhusbandry.

Prevention/treatment ● Whenthediseaseoccurs, improvesanitation,provideoptimumroomtemperatureandtreatwithsulphadrugsandotherbroadspectrumantibiotics.

Nb:treatmentcausesthedevelopmentofcarrierstatesandisnotrecommended.

Fowl typhoidItisaneggtransmitteddiseaselikepullorumdisease.More frequently transmitted between adults compared to pullorum disease and the disease may persist for a month unlike pullorum disease. Fowl typhoid can also be transmitted throughfeedscontaminatedwithdroppings,water,equipmentandpersonnel,wildbirds,rodents and flies.

Signs ● Similarsignstopullorumdiseaseinyoungbirdsupto4weeksofagebutsemi-matureandolder

birds die as opposed to almost no signs in pullorum disease. ● Birdsmayhaveagreendiarrhoea,paleandshrunkencombs/wattlesandhighmortality.

Prevention/treatment ● Vaccinesareavailable ● Otherpreventionandtreatmentsaresimilartopullorumdisease(bothdiseasesarecausedby

salmonella bacteria). Heat source is not necessary in adult birds.

Fowl choleraMostlyaffectssemi-matureandmaturebirds.

Cats and rodents can spread the disease while infected birds can spread the disease through contaminating feeds and water and cannibalism of dead birds.

Signscanappearinshorttime(acuteform).Inthis,thereissuddendeathbutbeforedeath,they have greenish-yellow diarrhoea, discharge from mouth, ruffled feathers, reducedappetite, lameness, difficult breathing and decreased egg production. Often find deadbirds in the nests and death toll rises quite fast.

Inalongstandingstate(chronicform),thereisswellingofjoints,footpads,wattles(figure15)andareasaroundtheeyescausingthemtoclose.Birdsmayhaveheadtiltingtooneside when one ear is affected.

Recoveredbirdsarecarriersandhenceasourceofinfection.

Fowl cholera is more likely to occur in birds that are stressed by such things as poor sanitation,parasitism,malnutrition,andotherdiseases.


Figure 15: birds with swollen wattle in chronic fowl cholera. A section through the swollen wattle reveals dry pussy material

Prevention and treatment ● Vaccinesexistbutunavailableinuganda. ● Purchasecleanbirdssincethediseaseisnottransmittedthrougheggs. ● Control rodents and keep cats out of poultry house or feed stores. ● Sulpha drugs, tetracyclines, penicillin, streptomycin, erythromycin or other broad spectrumantibioticscanbeusedinacuteformofthediseaseunderinstructionsofaveterinarian.

Infectious coryzaThis is a respiratory disease which spreads quite rapidly but with low mortality.

Thediseaseistransmittedbyclosecontactsincethebacteriadonotsurviveforlongintheoutsideenvironment.

Signs ● Dischargefromnostrils,swollenface,eyesandwattles. ● Adherenceofeyelids,fluidaccumulation(oedema)inthefacesometimesinthewattles.Later,someofthebirdsmayhaveswollenareasjustinfront/belowtheeyewithsomecheesy/pussycontent(figure16).

● Respiratory noises and diarrhoea. ● Thediseaseoccursfrequentlyinlayingflocksandthereisoftenreducedeggproductionwithaffectedbirdsappearingthinwithbreathingproblems.

Figure16:birdsswollenareasaroundtheeye.TheswellingmainlyJustbelowtheeyeandcontains pus.

Treatment ● Sulphardrugs,tetracycline,streptomycin

Prevention ● This ismostlyadiseaseofmanagementsopracticebetterhygieneandpracticeall-inall-out

system to break cycle of transmission.


Bumble foot Bumble foot is caused by bacteria that are common on the skin

This disease mainly occurs after injury of the foot pad and signs of wound will be seen.

Thereareskinabscessesandswellingofjointsoffoot(figure17).Signs

● Lameness,swollenfoot-pad,attimeswithpus.

Treatment: ● Antibiotics such as erythromycin may be useful during outbreak. Prevention is much more

important than treatment.

Figure 17: swollen foot pad in bumble foot with pus. This should be differentiated from gout in which the swelling has urate crystals

Prevention ● Avoidroughsurfaceandremovesharpobjectswhichcanleadtoinjuries. ● Avoidwetlitterorleakingdrinkers.

Collibacillosis (Navel ill)Thisisanenvironmentaldiseasecausedbycommonbacteria,presentinintestineofbirdsand mammals and is disseminated in feces. Birds are infected by direct contact with dirty litterandhatchersor contaminatedegg shells.Not transmitted frombird tobird.This istherefore a disease of poor hygiene.

SignsBirds commonly appear sickly, ruffled feathers, enlarged and swollen navel (Figure 18),decreasedappetite,depressionanddiarrheawithpastingoffeathersaroundthevent.

Treatment ● Manydifferentantibioticsanddrugshavebeenusedfortreatment.Theseincludetetracyclines,enrofloxacin, neomycin, Terramycin, sulfa drugs and others. Treatment is usually effective ifgivenearly.

Prevention ● VigoroussanitationprograminpoultryhouseandControldustinthepoultryhouse. ● Avoidstressfromotherdiseasesandparasites.


● Cleananddisinfectwaterersandfeedersandavoidfecalcontaminationofthese.

Figure18:Birdswithnavelillorcollibacillosis.

Chronic Respiratory Disease (Mycoplasmosis) ● This disease is characterized by respiratory signs (especially cough) which is persistent for long timeintheflock.

● Thediseaseaffectsallagegroupsofbirdsbut signsarecommonly seen in semi-matureandmature birds.

● Thediseasecanbetransmittedthrougheggslaidbyinfectedhens ● Canalsobetransmittedthroughairdropletsandcontaminationoffeed,waterorenvironment.

Signs ● Signsusuallydevelopslowly intheflockandmaypersist forweeksormonths.Signs include;coughing, sneezing, snicks, rales, eye and nose discharge, reduced appetite, drop in eggsproductionamonglayingbirds.

Prevention and treatment ● Buy chicken without history of chronic cough ● Marketing an infected flock with a low incidence of the disease Improve the management(improveventilation),husbandry,ornutritionifpossible.Eliminateallpossiblesourcesofstress.

● Antibioticse.g.Tylosinandtetracyclinescanbeused..

CoccidiosisThisisoneofthedevastatingdiseasesofhousedbirds,especiallychicks.

Manyfarmersassociatecoccidiosiswithbloodinthedropping,butatthistimethediseasehasreachedacriticallevelandlossesarehigh.

Coccidiosis in poultry affects the intestines.

Thediseaseoccurswhenlittermanagementisnotproper(leavingwetlitterinhouse).

Signs ● Affectedbirdsaredullwithnoappetite,weak,dehydratedand thin.There isdiarrhoeawithbloodtintsinthedroppingsatadvancedstageofthedisease.

● Thebirdsgetinfectedwhentheypickeggsoftheparasitefromcontaminatedlitter. ● Birdswhoseintestinalwallsareseverelydamagedbytheparasiteoftendiedespitetreatment.Therefore,preventionofcoccidiosisoutbreakisthemostimportantinmanagingthisdisease.


Prevention of coccidiosis ● Givecoccidiostatse.g.supha,amproliumaftereverytwoweekstill4monthsofage. ● Avoidunhygienicconditionse.g.wettingthelitter. ● Buy feed and water troughs which cannot easily be dirtened or allow spillage of water on the litter.Removeanywetlitteraroundthedrinkersandkeeplitterdryandfriable.

● Avoidovercrowdingandprovideadequateventilation.

Brooder pneumonia (Aspergillosis ) ● Thediseaseisacquiredbybreathingin(inhalation)offungalsporesfrommouldyfeedorlitter. ● Thediseaseisnottransmittedfrombirdtobird.

Signs ● Difficultyinbreathing,gasping(Figure19),blindnessandabnormalbehaviourwhenthebraingetsinvolved.Diseaseat¬tackslungs,airsacsandliver.

Figure19:Chicksaffectedbyaspergillosisshowingrespiratoryproblems(difficultbreathing).

Prevention and control ● Sanitationinhousewherebirdssleeporreared. ● Litter(ifused)shouldalwaysbedryandfriableandcakedlittershouldberemovedtoprevent

growth of fungus. ● Freshprocessedfeedshouldbefed.Donotgivemouldyfeedtothebirds. ● Can use Copper Sulphate following manufacturer guides.

Nb:

● Mostoftheinfectiousdiseasespresentwithgeneralsignsandsopost-mortemisverynecessaryindiseasediagnosis.SeekthehelpofaVeterinariannearyou.

● Birds should not be slaughtered before the withdrawal period of the drugs for human consumption. Follow themanufacturers’ instruction aboutwithdrawal period and dosage ofdrugforthegivenconditionyouaretreating.

● Mostdrugscomeintradenames,soyoushouldfindfromthedrugsellerthetruedrugnamefor right treatment.


Vitamin deficiency diseasesBirdsmayshowsignslike;

● Retardedgrowth, ● Dischargefromnoseandeye, ● Pustulesinmouth, ● De¬creasedeggproduction, ● Rickets-legweakness, ● Swollenjoints(hockjoints,jointsofribsplusothers), ● Nervoussigns(e.g.inclinationinmovement,paralysis), ● Poorhatchability, ● Whitestuffcoveringeyeball, ● Curledtoesandothernonspecificsigns

Note:Inscavenginglocalchicken,vitaminsareobtainedfromvegetablesthattheyeat,incommercialintensivechicken;deficiencymayresultfrominsufficientlevelsofvitaminsinthedietorwhenfeedshaveoverstayedorgonebad.

Supply vitaminpowder inwaterorbuyvitamin /mineralspowders (premix) andprovidegreenstobirds.Youcanalsoinjectasolutionofmultivitamintoeachbirdiftheyarefewto handle.

Parasites of chicken

External ParasitesThecommonexternalparasitesincludefleas,liceandmites(Figure20).

Fleas

● ThemostisSticktightfleaisacommontype ● They are deep red in colour ● Foundaroundtheeyes,onthewattlesandcombs. ● Theydrawbloodfromthebirdsandmaycauseanae¬mia. ● Theyalsodiscomfortbirdsandeventuallydecreaseproduction.

Control ● SmearsomeVaselineorlittleparaffin.Avoidgettingparaffinintocontactwiththeeyes. ● Applyalittlepye-greaseontheaffectedpartsor ● Removeallthelitteranddustthehousewithinsecticide(Sevindustorleafpowders).

Figure 20: The common external parasites


Lice ● These are light brown in colour ● Mayappearaswhiteeggsonthefeathersaroundthehead,wingandbreast. ● Causealotofdiscomfort, ● Suckbloodleadingtoanaemiaandhencedecreaseproduction. ● Itchingandscratchingwillreduceappetiteandretardgrowthofyoungbirds. ● Birds shed a lot of feathers. ● Clawsand/orbodypecking.

Control ● Dustthebirdswithavailableanti-parasiticpowderslikeSevindust.Ideallydothisintheevening

when the birds are going to sleep. ● Replace the litter (inheavy infestation)anddust thehousewith insecticidepayingparticularattentiontothecracksandcrevices.

Mites ● Mitesareverysmallanddifficulttoseewithnakedeyes. ● Mitesfeedonblood,feathers,skinorscales. ● Themostcommonmitesofpoultryincludefeathermites,scalylegmites,redmitesandmany

others.

Feather mites (Depluming Mites) ● Theseareverysmallcreatureswhichcausealotofdiscomforttothebirdsandeventohuman

beings. ● They suck blood.

Control ● Dustthebirdswithpowdersandreplacethelitter.

Scaly leg mites ● These are small creatureswhich hide/burrowon the shanks of birds causing rough scaly or

thickened legs (Figure 21).

Treatment/Control ● Dipthe legs ineitherwasteengineoilmixedwithsomeparaffinor incookingoilmixedwithparaffin(kerosene)inratioof1:1.Youcanalsousecommonpetroleumjellymixedwithparaffininthesameratio.Thisshouldbedonedailyforatleast2weekswithwashingofthelegswithsoapy water before dipping.

Figure 21: Scaly legs due to burrowing mites.


Red Mite ● Common red mites are red when fed with blood. ● They feed mostly at night and may not be found on the birds during the day (hide in the cracks orjointsofroostsornestsatdaytime).

● Inspectionatnightisusuallynecessarytoconfirminfestation.

They can survive for over 30weekswithout food. Anemia andmortality can result fromheavyinfestations,especiallyinyoungbirds.

Control ● Treatbothbirdsandfacilities.Repeattreatmentinoneweek.

House flies and their relatives ● Nonbitingfliesonpoultryfarmswhichhavepoorsanitation ● Thereforeareahealthandsanitationhazardtothepoultryproducersandneighbours. ● Intensivefarmsproducealotofmanurewhichmustbeproperlymanagedwithoutallowingflyproduction.

● Fliesareavectorofmanychickendiseases.throughtheirfeedinghabits

Control ● Disposeofmanurebyburyingorgiveitawaytocropfarmers. ● Keeplitterinpoultryhousesdry.

Internal ParasitesThe common ones are:

Round worms (Ascaridia galli) ● Foundinsmallintestines. ● Areround,whiteoryellowish-whiteand1-4incheslong(Figure22). ● When the parasite are many, the birds develop appears sickly, with poor growth, lowerproductivityanddeathmayoccur.Maycauseintestinalobstruction(intestinesclosing).

Prevention and control ● Byroutineuseofantihelminthicse.g.piperazineonceeverymonth. ● Avoidovercrowdingandifrearingchickenintensively,providefreshlitterwhenintroducingnew

poultry stock.

Figure 22: Round worm (Ascaridia galli) in the small instestine of chicken.


Gape- worm (Syngamus trachea) ● Thiswormlodgesinthewindpipe/trachea ● Causesgaping/gaspinginbirds.

Control ● De-wormregularlywithantihelmintics.

Caecal worm ● Found in the caecum ● Are harmless but are carriers of the poultry diseases like blackhead.

Tape worms ● Chickengetthesewormsbyeatingsnails,earthworms,andflieshavingthetapeworm. ● Causeanaemia,poorgrowthanddecreasedproduction.

Control ● Useantihelminthicsregularly.

Other conditions that can occur in chicken

Crop Impactions ● Causedbybirdseatingcoarsesubstances(likefeathers,grass,coarsefeed/leaves,litter)inlargequantities.

● Avoidtheseconditions.

Prolapse of Oviduct ● Heretheoviduct(eggpassagetube)ofalayinghencomesoutthroughthecloaca. ● Causedby thehen layingoversizedeggorhenhavingmuch fatdeposits thereby leading tonar¬rowingofthepassage.

● Ahenwithprolapsedoviductdrawstheattentionofotherbirdswhichpeckontheoviductandso injuring the bird.

● “Internallaying”(EggBound) ● Thehenfailstolaytheeggsduetoeitherextra-largeeggoroverfatnessofthebirdorinjuryintheoviductoreggbeingbrokenbeforebeinglaid.

● Thebirdwillhavedistendedabdomen.

Poison and Toxins ● These include drugs (overuse of chemotherapeutic drugs), disinfectants, chemicals (feedadditives,salt),fumigants,fungaltoxins,insecticidesandrodenticides.

● Avoidcircumstancesthatcanleadtoingestionofthepoisons.

NB: The old saying that prevention is better than cure is true of poultry diseases andparasites.Thiscanbegotbyvaccinationandgood,cleanhusbandry.


Vaccinations Vaccinationpreventsbirdsfromdiseases

● Vaccineusedshouldbestoredproperlyinthecold/coolenvironment,usually4-8°C. ● Vaccines should be used promptly (within 2½ hours) after reconstitution. Always followmanufacturer’sguidelineswhenyouareusingvaccines(contactaveterinarianforguidance)

Vaccination program for poultry local birds

Age (weeks) Type of Vaccine Route of administration7 days Newcastle+Infectiousbronchitis(IB) Intraocular,intranasal,spray14 days Gumboro Intraocular,oral21 days Newcastle+IB Intraocular,intranasal,spray28 days Gumboro Oral/intraocular6th week Fowl pox Wingweb8th week Newcastle Intraocular,intranasal5th month Newcastle+IB OralEveryafter2months Newcastle Oral


4.46 THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF PROFITABLE POULTRY KEEPING AND ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION

Any business person aims at making maximum profits within the limits of operation. As keeping local birdsbecome commercial, the farmermust pay attention to cost of inputsand expected returns. To realize profits, the farmer should ensure the following amongother things:

Efficient use of feed ● Feeding constitutes 60 to 70 % of total costs in poultry keeping. Getting cheap source

which does not compromise growth and production of the birds should be sought. ● Feedwastageshouldbeavoidedbyprovidingfeedersthatpreventbirdsfromspreading

feeds to the litter. Do not fill troughs to the brim unless they are automatic feeders. ● Ensure that theft of food and ingredients do not occur especially when you mix your

own feeds. This is by ensuring proper records and security checks. ● Stores should be constructed to prevent rodents and animals from eating the feeds.

There should be no water leakage in the store as to cause feed spoilage. ● Nonproductivebirdsareunnecessaryburdeninapoultryhouseandshouldbeculledtosavefeeds.

● Buy feeds only to last for 2-3 weeks period to avoid feed spoilage and nutrientdeterioration.

● Buy feeds from reputable suppliers who provide feeds with the correct weight andnutrient contents as stated on the labels.

● Youcanalsomakefeedsonfarmtosavealotofcosts.Trytoidentifycheapsourcesoffeeds locally.

● Birds older than 8 weeks of age should be released and only supplemented on what they have scavenged on to reduce costs.

Targeting correct time of the year and certain marketProducepoultryinperiodscoincidingwithgoodmarkets.Forexample,producingbirdsformeat around festive seasons of different cultural/religious groups, periods ofworkshopsbyorganizations,forhotels,schoolsandothereventofsocialgatheringswillguaranteeallround market. This is possible with programmed hatching and batch rearing. Also ensure that birds produce to the maximum.

Disease controlFollow disease control measures strictly. A disease outbreak may reduce the number of birdsdrasticallyandyouwillalsospendmoneyondrugs,disinfectants,vaccines,veterinaryconsultations,freshlitterandmanyothercontingencies.Imaginerunningapoultrybusinessonaloananddiseasereducesyourinvestmentstonothing?Thetotallossofbirdsinaflockin a year should not exceed 12% for profitable production.

Use good quality labourIt is a false economy to use cheap untrained labour to manage your birds. Unskilled labour canquickly render the flocknonproductiveandnonprofitable.Thepersonworking inapoultry unit should know feeding techniques, light regulation (for laying birds), diseaseprevention, culling birds, general management and good record keeping. An untrainedlabourisagreatrisktoyourbusinessandcancreatemanynonproductivebirds.


Using good productive breeds ● Getting cheap birds from unreliable sources is false economy. Start your flock with

breeds with known production performance or select the good performers and rear them.

● Attempt to improve the local breeds by crossbreeding so as to improve their productivity.

Business plan indicating inputs, outputs and the actual profits ● Itadvisable tokeepproper recordsofexpensesand returns involved in thebusiness.

The farmer should plan right from the start what expenses he is going to incur before startingtoreceiveincomefromthepoultryenterprise.Agoodbusinessplanisthereforeessential.

● Localbirdsmaystartlayingaround7monthsofageandafarmershouldensurethathe/shehasenoughresourcestotakecareofcostsofhousing/equipment,feeds,vaccines/drugs,transport,labour,fuelandotherstothepointoflay.Anychangeinmaintenanceinthisperiodcanleadtopermanentlowproductivityofthebirdsespeciallywhentheygetstunted,sickorhaveunderdevelopedreproductivetract.

● Get ideas on making business plans from veterinary extension workers or progressive farmers near you.

Marketing

EggsMarketingofeggsshouldbedonepromptlytoavoidspoilageandlossofincome.Theeggsshould be cleaned and stored in cool dry place. Eggs are transported in trays (box or plastic type).Goodtransportationandadvertisementarenecessaryformarketingtheeggs.Theycanbesoldasfreshwholeeggsoreggproducts(processed/ready-to-eatform).Conversioninto various products fetches more money than the fresh form. The prices of eggs areaffectedbysupplyinthemarket,sizeofeggsandcostofproduction.

Whole birdsNonproductivehensshouldbeculledandsoldformeat.Old layersabove3yearsshouldalsobesoldoffformeat.Itisadvisabletoselloffcockseverysixtosevenmonthstoavoidinbreeding. Cocks may be sold any time when they attain market weights of 1.8 to 2kg.

Birdsmaybesoldliveorasdressedcarcassesastheparticularmarketdemands.Formationof farmers’ associations and seeking joint solutions to market problems may be of help whenproduction is in surplus. Alternatives for carcass preservation should be sought topreventspoilage.Establishgoodcommunicationwithhotels,traininginstitutionsandretailoperatorstoprovidequickmarketforyourproducts.

Record Keeping ● Awell-managedpoultryunitshouldhaveproperrecordstoshowwhether it’smaking

profits or not. ● From the records you can tell if thebirds areproducingnormally and if not, you can

easily find why. ● Keepsimplerecordsthatareeasytofill,readandfollow.


● Records should be kept about egg production, eggs given for incubation/number of chicks hatched and those that reach maturity, number of hens, cocks, feed intake (amount eaten) and/or feed supplements, average weights, mortality and items that require money, drug treatment and vaccination records, chicken sales, batch/flock performance.

ExamplesofrecordcardsthatcanbeusedinpoultryunitsaregiveninTables12-17.

A record card for Brooder

Production Records of the hens


Vaccination Record

Flock Numbers (count weekly if possible, then monthly)

Economics of Production.Inevaluatingcostandbenefitsoftheenterprise,onehastocalculatethecostsbelow.

Fixed or Non Recurring Expenditure ● Costofbuildings(poultryhouses,store),depreciationsandrepairsonthem. ● Costofequipment(watertroughs,feeders,feedmill,nests,overcoats,heateretc)and

depreciation on them. ● Repayment of loans and interests ● Get the totals of these fixed items.

Variable or Recurring Expenditure ● Cost of day old chicks ● Cost of feeds to the point of disposal ● Costoflabour,water,electricity,drugs,vaccines,litter,fuel,transport,advertisement ● Marketing costs ● Wagesandallowances ● Get the totals of these variable costs.

Thesefixedcostsandvariableexpenseshavetoberecoveredbythesaleofbirdsoreggs.


Capital Investment

Capital investment = Fixed costs + Variable costs

Sales or Receipts ● Saleofeggs/culledbirds ● Sale of manure ● Entrance fees for agricultural tourism

Gross Profit (gross margin)

Gross profit = Money from sales – Variable (recurring) expenses (gross margin)

Net Profit

Net profit = Sales – (Variable costs + Fixed costs)


Part 5: Collective Marketing Methods:Lecture, BrainstormingQuestion and answerGroup work

Objectives: By the end of the session, participants are able to:• Identify the economic gaps of individual agricultural marketing• Explain the benefits of collective agricultural marketing• Understand the requirements for successful collective marketing• Identify the challenges and solutions of collective marketing

Sub-topics1. Understanding existing agricultural marketing practices2. The benefits of collective marketing3. Setting up and ensuring an effective collective marketing

Duration: 180 Minutes

IntroductionWelcometheparticipantsandtake5minutestoreviewthelessonsandexperienceslearntfromtheprevioussession.Asktheyouthonwhatpracticalthings,asagripreneurs,havetheydonesincethelast sessions.

Introducetoday’ssessionobjectiveoflearninghowtoproduceandconductcollectivemarketing.Emphasizethatagribusinesstodayisfacedwithdifferentmarkets,whichdonotgeneratethesamebenefitstofarmers.Otherthanproducing,withoutagoodmarket,farmerscanhardlygetoutofpoverty. Thus, to understand how youth agripreneurs can reap good returns from their effortsrequiresathoroughunderstandingofagriculturalmarketing.

GroupWork:Dividethelearnersinto4groupsandaskeachgrouptotake15minutestoanswerthefollowingquestions.Theyshouldhaveasecretarywhowillreporttotheplenary.

Group 1: Wheredofarmers[oftheenterpriseselectedbytheyouthgroup]intheareaselltheirproducts?

Whatchallengesdotheyfacewiththeirmarket?Group 2: Whyisagoodmarketimportantforyouthagripreneurs?Group 3: What are the advantages and disadvantages of farmers selling their products

individually?Group 4: Whatadvantageswouldyouthagripreneursderivebysellingtheirproductscollectively?

WrapUptheresponseswithemphasisasbelow

● Therearemanydifferentmarketsforthesamecommodity–farmgate,localandfaroffmarkets; ● There are different buyers of the same commodity – middlemen, retailers, wholesalers,processors,anddirectconsumers

● Therearedifferentbuyerpreferences–price,volumes,quality,andnatureoftransactions ● Thereare,toalargeextent,nogovernmentrestrictionsonbuyer-sellertransactionsbecausethe

market is a free arena. ● Inthemarket,“cleveractors”exploittheotherplayerstomaximizetheir“profits.”

○ Agoodmarketandmarketingisimportantforthefollowingreasons:


○ Itprovidesinformationonwhatcustomerswanttherebytargetingproductionandhowtoattractbuyers.

○ Itenablescustomerstoknowwhatfarmersproducetherebyinfluencingbuyerdecisions. ○ It enhances farmers’ ability to sell their products at the right places and price and to right

people.

● Collectivemarketingsimplyrefertoaprocesswhereagroupoffarmerswiththesameproductaggregatetheirproduceandselltheminlargerquantitiestoanidentifiedbuyer.Thisprocess,however,entailsthat:

○ Individualfarmers/youthagripreneursorganizethemselvesintoagroupsandagreeto; ○ Farmthesameagroenterprise/commodity; ○ Farmtheselectedcommodityindividuallyaccordingtotheircapacitiesandeconomicgoals; ○ Follow the same farming seasons, good agronomic/husbandry practices including post-harvestmanagement;

○ Sell their commodity together in the same market using same agreed upon buyer and price. ○ Either bulks their produce together on the day of selling or store to sell later.

● Theadvantagesofcollectivemarketingrevolvesarounditshighereconomyofscale-abilitytoaggregatetogethermanysmallvolumesintoonebiggervolumethatisableto:

○ Shareanumberoftransactioncosts–transport,storage,handling,andrisks. ○ Attractbuyerswhoalwayswant“quickturnaroundtransactiontime.” ○ Strengthenfarmers’negotiationcapacityforbetterpricesgivenreducedtransactioncosts. ○ Improveandstandardizequalityoftheproduceofferedforsale. ○ Ensureone-offpaymenttofarmerscomparedtosmallsellingpractices.Withthislumpsumpaymentfarmersareabletoeffectivelyplanandusetheirfundseffectively.

○ Reducethehighindividualsalesrisksduetoindecisionsfortimelysales. ○ Enhancefarmers’accesstomarketinformationgivensharedroleallocations. ○ Improves a group capacity to acquire and improve communal facilities for improving thequalityoftheirproducee.g.,stores,accessroads.

○ Open group members’ access to credit from input suppliers or banks that they may use to boost their agribusiness.

○ Build social coherence and trust among group members. ○ Strengthengroupsvoiceandvisibilitytherebybuildingpoliticalspacetolobbyandadvocateforlocalgovernmentsupport

● Thechallengesofcollectivemarketing,whichcanallbesolvedthroughgroupstrengthening,include:

○ Lackofestablishedfinancialtrustamonggroupmembers ○ Negativeindividualcompetitionthatbarscollectiveactions ○ Requiresmanyregularmeetingsforconsensusbuilding ○ Oftenfarmersfearproductstandardizationtherebycompromisingquality,volume,etc. ○ Requireseffectiverecordskeepingthatsometimeonlyfewgroupmemberscando(therebyinhibitingtransparency)

● Thekeydriversforasuccessfulcollectivemarketingincludes: ○ Trust among the members ○ Transparencyfromgroupleadersandcommitteemembers ○ Strictadherencetotheenterprisecalendarsothatallactivitiesareconcludedatthesametime

○ Strictadherencetorecommendedagriculturalpractices ○ Timelyaccesstomarketinformationtoavoidexploitativemarketsofinputsandproduce ○ Properrecordskeepingforgeneratingrealtimeproductionandmarketingdata.


● Forcollectivemarketingtobeeffective,thereisneedto: ○ Identifyagoodbuyerabletoofferthegroupmembersfairprice. ○ Bulkandselltheproducetogetherinanorganizedmannerandpayeverymember. ○ Document all the processes for future planning. ○ Keep clear records for transparency and accountability

Belowishowtoconductanddocumentthebuyersurveyandsales.

5.1 Conduct Market (Who is the Buyer) SurveyGiven that production is geared towards themarket, and that few (if any) groupwill engage incontractfarming,itisimportantthatyouthagripreneursareconstantlyawareofwhoisthebetterbuyer.Toknowthesebuyers,itisimportantthattheMarketingCommitteeconductsregularmarketsurveys-pre-season,duringproductionphase,andattheharvesttime-tocollectmarketinformationaboutthemarket.Thissurveywillhelpgroupmembersto:

a) Knowthepotentialbuyertoselltooncetheirproductisreadyforsale;b) Knowthetrendsofchangeinthemarket–prices,buyers,conditions,etc.

Theprocessofthismarketinformationcollectioninvolves:

● Brainstorm in the group on who knows which buyers. ● Goingtoknownmarketsanddiscussingwithexistingbuyers. ● Talkingtootherfarmers/groupsdealinginsimilarcommodity,ProjectOfficers,Extensionofficers,governmentTradeandCooperativeofficers andasking currentbuyershowmuchmore theywould be willing to take or do they know who else is buying.

● Watchingoutforpassingtrade

OtherinformationsourcesonpricescanbegotontheinternetandviaSMSfromthefollowingserviceproviders:1. Infotrade ( www.infotradeuganda.com)providesaweeklymarketreportwithretailand

wholesale prices from 31 districts.2. FarmgainprovidesmarketpricesforanSMSservice.Youwritethenameoftheproduce

e.g.“maize”,“rice”,“beans”inanSMSandsenditto8198or198.YouwillthenreceiveanSMSwithregionalpricesforthatproduce.TheservicecostsUshs.220perSMS.

3. Foodnet ( http://www.foodnet.cgiar.org/market/Uganda/uganda.htm ) provide weeklyretailandwholesalepricescollectedbyFarmgainin13locations.

4. FEWSNetUganda(http://www.fews.net/pages/country.aspx?gb=ug)providesamonthlypricebulletincovering6importantcrops.

5. RegionalAgriculturalIntelligenceNetwork(www.ratin.net)providesdailymarketpricesfromthecapitalsinthefiveEastAfricancountries.

6. Use the *174# option to show the youth how they can access information on theirphone(at a fee)


Procedure:

a) ThemarketingCommitteeshoulddevelopaclearworkplanforwhentheywillcollectmarketinformation.

b) Theinformationtobecollectedusingthetoolbelow–Seasonalbuyersurveyform–shouldbecollectedatthesametimeandusingthesameunitsofmeasurement.

c) Only1-2membersshouldbeinvolvedinthisinformationcollection.d) Oncethedatacollectionperiodisover,thedatacollectorsmustfilltheform.e) ThedatacollectorsshouldalsoliaisewiththeProjectStafftohelpupdatetheirmarketsurvey.f) The filled form (including information from the group and project staff survey) should be

presentedtomembersduringoneof thegroupmeetingsso thatmemberscandecideonwhichbuyerismostsuitableforthematthattime.Thisprocessmustbeparticipatorysothatmembershavevalidreasonstheywanttoselltoaparticularbuyer(andalsotoavoidsuspicionthatthefewselectedmembersarenotrepresentingthemeffectively).

g) The agreed upon buyer will become the focus for market monitoring and further discussions.h) In case a buyer/buyers are finally selected at the harvest time, theMarketingCommittee

memberswillthenembarkonthenegotiationtasktoensurethatthegroupproductsgetthebest price (for the season).

i) Onceallthesearedone,thenthegroupleadersshouldfilltheFormbelowandensurethatit isdulysignedbyall therequiredpersons.ThisformMUSTbefilled in4copies–1copyeach for thegroupexecutivecommittee,YoungModelFarmer,ProjectOfficer,andProjectManager.

j) Notethatovertime,thegroupshouldbeabletodevelopaBuyerRegisterfortheirproduct.


Seasonal Buyer Survey for Period (e.g., Feb- July…………..)

Name of Youth Group: Contact Details Enterprise:


Core issues to explore

Descriptions Name of buyer ATel.

Name of buyer BTel.

Name of buyer CTel.

Name of buyer DTel.

Location of buyer

Geographical point of sales

Distance to market

Distance (Kilometers)Suitable transport is available? Yes/NoTransport fare (UGX)

Frequency of market

Daily, weekly, seasonal

Average price/unit

Minimum (UGX)Maximum (UGX)Average (UGX)

Quantity required

Minimum volumeMaximum volume

Quality conditions

Standard of product

Payment method

Cash /ChequesOn delivery/delayed

Delivery method

By group/buyerCost saved/incurred (UGX)

Taxes Fees charged (UGX)Paid by group/buyer

Any other conditionsMember’s preferred buyer

For Youth Group:

GroupChairperson:Date,name,signature&stamp GroupYMF:Date,nameandsignatureFor Implementing Partner:



5.2 Monitor Production and ComplianceDuringtheentireproductionseason,theYMFandtheExecutiveCommitteesmustconductfieldvisitstoindividualmembergardensinordertoassess:

i) Iftheyhaveplantedthetargetedacresorrearedthetargetedbirds;ii) Iftheyarefollowingagreedupondatessetforspecificactivities;iii) Iftheyarefollowingtherecommendedagronomicandlivestockhusbandry;iv) Theneedfor(aswellastoprovide)mentorshipinrecommendedpractices;andv) Thelikelyproductionlevelfortheseason.


TheAssessmentformbelowmustbeusedforthevisitandreportingbacktothegroupmeeting.

Agroenterprise Production Monitoring Form for Period (e.g., Feb- July…………..)Name of Youth Group: Contact Details Enterprise:

Variety:District: Sub county: Parish: Village:

Name of Member

Crop sector(Are you currently practicing….. 0=No; 1=Yes; 2=Somehow)

Livestock sector

Num

bero

fTreesplanted

Num

bero

fnon

-familym

embe

rsemployed

TOTALPR

ODU

CEFORTH

ESEAS

ONNo.

Acre

s pl

ante

d

Early

land

ope

ning

Correctn

urseryprepa

ratio

ns

Timelyplan

ting

Corr

ect s

paci

ng

Integrated

pest&

dise

asecontrol

Betterpost-h

arvesthan

dling

Inte

rcro

ppin

g

Crop

rotatio

n

Eros

ion

cont

rol

Mul

chin

g

Man

ure

Terracing/Co

ntou

rdigging

Fallo

w sy

stem

Prop

er re

cord

s ke

epin

g

Num

berb

irds

Hou

sing

Supp

lem

enta

ry fe

edin

gs

Para

site

and

dise

ase

cont

rol

Routi

neworks

Prop

er re

cord

s ke

epin

g

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

GROUPGARDEN

TOTAL

For Youth Group:

GroupChairperson:Date,name,signature&stamp GroupYMF:Date,nameandsignature


5.3 Bulk and Sell ProduceOncemembershaveharvestedtheirproduceorhavetheirbirdsreadyforsale,itisimportantthattheyholdameetingtoagreeonanddothefollowing:

a) Whothecurrentpreferredbuyerwouldbe?Itisadvisabletopre-selectatleast2buyersfromtheharvesttimemarketsurvey.

b) Whatvolumeoftheirproducetheywillpool/bulkandselltogether.It is importanttonoteherethatmembersshouldnotbeforcedtoselltheirproductcollectively.Ratherthemarketbenefits of collective sales should prevail in attracting them. Equally,members should beallowedtohavesomeoftheirproductforhomeconsumption.

c) Protracted negotiations with the selected buyers. In this case, theMarketing Committeemembers should go and discuss with the buyers the price, volume needed, the qualityaccepted,anddateofpurchase(amongotherissues).

d) Afterthenegotiations,theMarketingCommitteeshouldprovidefeedbackstothemembersin order to help them:

▪ Sortingtheirproductinlinewiththebuyerqualityrequirement ▪ Preparethebulkingpoint/centrallocationwherethebuyerwillmeetthem ▪ Bulktheirproduceatacentrallocationonthedayofpurchase ▪ Agree and sign a contract with the buyer.

e) On thedayof buying,members shouldbring their produce to the central locationwheretheMarketingCommitteememberswillbe.Inthisway,eachmemberwillmeether/hisowntransport cost.

f) Asthebuyerarrivesandassessesproduct-by-product,allquantitiesthatareacceptedbythebuyerwillberecordedontheformoverleaf.

g) PaymentswillbemadedirectlytothemarketingCommitteemembersinthepresenceofthegroup members.

h) Oncethebuyerhasleft,theMarketingCommitteememberswillpayallthemembersfortheirproducesold.AllpaymentMUSTbemadeonthedayproduceistakentoavoidfraudandrisksassociatedwithlatepayment.Everymembermustsignforher/hismoneyinpublic.

i) Onceallpaymentshavebeenmade,theGroupChairpersonandYMFwillsigntheformforfilling.AnyoutstandingmoneyunpaidMUSTbedeclaredtomembers.

j) Worthnotingareshouldagroupagreedto: ▪ Transportitsproducttothebuyer,itwillnegotiatethetransportcostwiththetransporteranddeductthecostaccordingtothevolumesoldpermember.Acolumnfortransportcost paid per person can be included.

▪ A Sales Commission, this amount will be deducted according to the volume sold permember. A column for commission paid per person can be included.

▪ Agroupdecidestorecoveritsoutstandingloan,theVSLAManagementCommitteewillliaisewiththeMarketingCommitteetoensurethattheprocessrunssmoothly.Acolumnfor loan payment per person can be included.


CONTRACT AGREEMENT FOR YOUTH GROUP MARKETING

THIS AGREEMENT made this …………….. day of ………………………. between ………………………..…………...

Youth Group of…………………..Village………………………..Parish,…………………………Subcountyand…………..

District,whosemembersareinvolvedin……………………agroenterprise(“hereinafterreferredtoas

the Seller).

AND

………………………..of……………..,subcounty,…………………..District,Phonenumber……………….whowill

buy……………..fromtheFarmerGroup(“hereinafterreferredtoastheBuyer).Both parties have agreed to operate under the following terms and condition (please deletewhicheverisinapplicable);The Farmer Group agrees to; 1- Updatethebuyeraboutthevolumeofproducethatisreadyforsale.2- Bulktheproduceatonepoint/store.3- Transporttheproducetothebuyer.4- Sellwithintheirbulkingpointorinthebuyer’sstore.

The Buyer agrees to;1- Buytheproduceatapriceof____________UGX.perunit.(Indicate agreed unit) 2- Paycash/chequefortheproducewhenitiscollected,verified,andaccepted.3- Collect/receivetheproduceontheDay:_______Month:__________Year:_______

Produce Specification State here the details of products (quantity, quality, packaging, etc.)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Warranties;Bothpartiesmustacknowledgethemselvestobeboundbyallthetermsandconditionsof thisoffer,whichshall,unlessotherwisestated,bedetermined inaccordancewiththe lawsofUganda.Arbitration; This agreement is executed based on mutual understanding that both parties areworkingtoensureasuccessfultransactionandassuchshouldnotarisetheneedfordisagreement.But should therebeany, thisagreementshallbeconstruedandenforcedunder the lawsof therepublic of Uganda. In witness of the above contract; the representativesof the twopartieswith full consenthaveagreedtoimplementthiscontractundertheabovetermsandconditions.

For Youth Group:



For Buyer:

Name,Date,andsignature

For Witness:

Name,Date,andsignature


Bulked Produce Registration and Payment Form



SN Nameofyouth

SexAc

cepted

qua

ntity

bulk

ed (u

nit)

Price/u

nit(UGX)

Amou

nt p

aid

(UGX)

Agreeddeductibles(UGX)

Netta

kehom

e(UGX)

Sign

atur

e

Tran

spor

t

Com

miss

ion

Tax

Loan

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Group Garden

TOTAL

For Youth Group:




Part 6. Performance Review and Planning

MethodsQuestion and answer, group work,

ObjectivesAt the end of the session, participants are able to:

• Assess their performance by identifying their strong and weak agribusiness areas.• Suggest innovative solutions to improve their agribusiness performance.• Develop their seasonal production and marketing plans.

Sub topics:1. Performance accountability 2. Seasonal planning

Duration120 minutes

IntroductionWelcometheparticipantsandtake5minutestoreviewthelessonsandexperienceslearntfromtheprevioussession.Asktheyouthonwhatpracticalthings,asagripreneurs,havetheydonesincethelast sessions.Introducetoday’ssessionbyaskingthefollowingbrainstormingquestions:

● Whatshouldanagripreneursdoattheendofthebusinessseason?Andwhy?

Points to Emphasize Oncetheseasonaltransactionisaccomplished,theExecutiveCommitteestogetherwiththeYMFshouldconveneageneralmeetingduringwhichthegroupwillprimarily:

(a)Receiveuptodateaccountabilityfromthevariouscommittees/leaders;(b)Reviewitsprogress;and(c) Plan for the next season.

Belowisahighlightoftheprocessofmanagingthereviewmeeting.a) Thevariousgroupcommittees/leadersMUSTholdameetingpriortothemeetingtofillout

therequiredinformationinthereportingtemplatebelow.

b) TheProjectOfficerandtheCommunityBasedFacilitatorMUSTattendthemeeting.

c) The templatesbelowwill guide themeeting. These templatesMUSTbefilled, signedandsubmittedtotheProjectManager.

d) Duringthemeeting:(i) TheYMFshallprovideaccountabilityontheprogressofproductionintheseason.They

shouldmentionnamesofthosewhomaytakethegroupbehindduetolowadoptiontobetteragronomic/husbandrypracticessothatthegroupcanechoreprimands.

(ii) The VSLA Management Committee shall provide accountability on Savings and Loanperformance.Theyshouldmentionnamesofmemberswhomaylackconsistentsavingsand loan repayment so that the group can echo reprimands.

(iii) The Executive Committee-cum-marketing Committee shall provide accountability ontheprogressofmarketingincluding,volumesold,amountearned,thebuyers,etc.Theyshouldalsopointatthedifferencebetweenyieldandvolumebulkedsoastoreduceonsideselling.Equally,theyshouldmentionnamesofmemberswhoareengagedinsidesellingwhentheycomparevolumesbulkedversusyieldfortheperiod.


e) Afterlisteningtothefiguresandtroublespots,thegroupshoulddiscusstheseasonindetailsbyseekinganswerstothechallengestheyfacedinordertoprovidepracticalsolutionsforthewayforwardintothenextseason.Keyinformationfromthisdiscussionshouldthenbefilledin a template for sharing with the project management.

f) Finallythegroupshouldplanforthenextseason.Thesameprocedureusedduringthestart-upplanningisalsotobeused.However,becausemarketconditionsaredynamic,itwillbeimportant topayattention tochanges inpricesof inputsaswellasofproduce.The teamshouldjointlyconductanewenterpriseanalysissothatcostingisbasedonnewmarkettrends.


Group Seasonal Review Form for Period (e.g., Feb- July…………..)

Bio-data to be filled by Executive Committee:

NameofPO: NameofYMF: NameofCBF:

NameofYouthGroup: Contact: Enterprise:


Males: Females: Total: Dateofreview:

Hasvalidcertificate:(Yes/No)

HasfunctionalExecutiveCommittee(Yes/No):

Hasafunctionalbankaccount(Yes/No):

Monthsofoperations:

# Members in micro franchise:

# Members in agribusiness:

#Membersinvocationalskills:

# Members participatinginVSLA:

#ofmembersself-employed

Males Females # of members formally employed

Males Females

Production data to be filled by Young Model Farmers:

NameofYMF:Crop Enterprise Contour diggingTotal acres planted Fallow systemTotal yield in the season Proper records keepingEarly land openingCorrectnurserypreparations Animal EnterpriseTimelyplanting Numberstart-upbirds:Correct spacing NumberofbirdssoldIntegratedpest&diseasecontrol NumberofbirdsnowBetterpost-harvesthandling Animal housingIntercropping Supplementary feedingsCroprotation Parasite and disease controlErosion control RoutineworksMulching Proper records keepingManureapplication NumberofTreesplanted:

VSLA data to be filled by VSLA Management Committee:

NumberofmembersparticipatinginVSLATotalamountsaved(UGX)TotalamountsavedasSocialFund(UGX)TotalamountsavedforAgro-inputs(UGX)Totalamountloanedout(UGX)Loanrecoveryrate(%)Totalamountdepositedinabankaccount(UGX)


Marketing data to be filled by Executive Committee:

NumberofmemberswhofarmedintheseasonTotalAcres/birdsplanned:TotalAcresplanted/birdskept:Numberofnon-familymembersemployedYieldattainedNumberofmemberswhobulkedtheirproduceforsaleQuantitysoldbythegroupTotalsalesincomeearned(UGX)Totalamountpaidastaxtogovernment(UGX)Totalnettakehomeincome(UGX)NumberofmemberswhoinsuredtheirbusinessTotalamountpaidaspremium(UGX)NameofinsurancecompanyengagedNumberofmemberswhoseclaimswerepaidTotalamountreceivedasclaims(UGX)

General information to be filled by all Group Members:

Whichpartnerships/linkagesdidwegain?:

Whatarewedoingtoensuresocialinclusion/gender?

Whatarewedoingtoensureenvironmentalconservation?

Whatarewedoingtoensuresustainability?

Whatpositiveresultsdidweachieve?

Whatchallengesdidweface?

Whatsolutionsdowesuggest?


Production and Marketing Seasonal Planning Form for Period (e.g., Feb- July…………..)



No. Name of Mem-ber

Actual last season (acres/birds)

Planned Acres/

Birds

Yield expected (units)

Estimat-ed yield loss + food

Estimat-ed yield to be sold

Estimat-ed sales price per unit (UGX)

Esti-mated Income (UGX)

Esti-mated produc-tion cost (UGX)

Estimat-ed net Income (UGX)

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e=(c-d)) (f) (g=(e*f)) (h) (i=g-h)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

GROUP GARDEN

TOTAL


Planned Seasonal Activities

Activity Period ResponsibleMonth 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4

W1

W2

W3

W4

W5

W6

W7

W8

W9

W10

W11

W12

W13

W14

W15

W16

NurserymanagementClashing

Ploughing

Procurement of inputsPlanting

Weeding

Spraying

Harvesting

MarketingofproduceReviewofachievements

For Youth Group:



For Implementing Partner:


farming as a business facilitators’ guide

Documents