Smallholder farmers
Smallholder farmer support
We believe that farming in partnership with nature involves the entire agro-ecosystem and that disturbance of nature should be as minimal as possible. Therefore, natural principles are leading, solutions are nature-based and synthetic inputs should be minimal.
We are convinced that agro-ecology, agroforestry, permaculture and regenerative agriculture all have useful elements that can be applied in a practical situation.
Although these principles are not all applicable in protected cultivation, we are aware that in certain conditions (climate, proximity to market) protected cultivation may provide interesting opportunities that contribute to food security and/or economic progress.
A healthy crop and good yield are the result of a combination of good management practices and socio-economic aspects as described in below farming principles.
Farming principles
Soil and nutrition management
Healthy soil is the base for healthy plants, good yield, high quality and healthy people. A healthy soil is not just a growing substrate to host roots and provide plants with water and nutrients, but a system full of life with organic matter, micro-organisms and invertebrates that cycle nutrients and avail them to plants. The soil should therefore be treated with care: feed the soil so that the soil can feed the plants.
In conventional agricultural systems, soil life is often neglected and destroyed, due to heavy intensive tillage and the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. Nutrients are not in balance with plant needs and cannot be taken up by plants because micro-organisms that make the nutrients available for the plants are lacking. Instead, proper soil management requires the following:
- Minimum tillage: Deep tillage damages the network of beneficial fungi (mycorrhiza and others), destroys the crumbly structures formed by bacteria, and displaces soil top layers with thriving microbiome with layers that contain less life.
- Natural fertilisers: Use compost and/or ripened manure to fertilise the soil, preferably locally sourced. Organic matter helps to store more nutrients for plants and increase water availability.
- Soil coverage: Use organic mulching or cover crops that shade the soil’s top layer and add organic matter. Leguminous cover crops fix nitrogen.
- Soil improvement: In poor soils growth can be stimulated by the use of biostimulants including micro-organisms.
- Precision nutrition: Input can be reduced by applying fertilisers in the root zone of the plants.
Water management
Water is often scarce, and rainfall not equally distributed over the year. Rainfall is becoming more erratic due to climate change. Water should therefore be used in a smart way.
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Crop/variety choice: Choose crops that are adapted to the water availability.
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Capturing water: Create systems that capture the run-off water by digging canals and ditches, and store water in tanks.
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Erosion: Avoid erosion of the fertile top layer of soils on a slope, by planting hedges and trees and by creating small ridges/dikes/trenches perpendicular on the slope (along contour lines). Covering the soil with mulch or cover crops also helps to avoid erosion and enables rainwater infiltration.
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Soil organic matter: Increase soil organic matter component as this greatly improves soil water holding capacity.
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Mycorrhizal networks: Improve water use efficiency through promoting mycorrhizal networks and beneficial soil organisms that enable plants to extract water from a bigger soil volume and from fine pores.
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Elevated/sunken plant beds: Create elevated plant beds for vegetables grown when excess rainfall may occur, but create sunken plant beds when crops are grown in a dry period.
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Precision irrigation: Drip irrigation significantly increases the water use efficiency.
'We can be 'good' for the planet by inspiring each other at work and sharing what we are doing with ourfamilies, communities and the outside world.’
Crop management
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Good quality seeds: Use varieties adapted to local circumstances, locally bred and resistant to pests and diseases where possible.
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Appropriate seeding/planting densities: Important to obtain good quality plants.
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Timely planting: To optimise rainwater use and reduce incidence of pests and diseases.
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Crop rotation: Helps to reduce build-up of (crop specific) pests and diseases.
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Mixed cropping/intercropping/agroforestry: Increases biodiversity that helps suppress pests and diseases and creates synergistic effects between different plant species. This lowers the risk of crop failure.
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Crop maintenance: Apply appropriate trellising and pruning techniques; remove and destroy infested plants and other potential sources of contamination such as fallen fruits. Perform timely weeding.
Site management
Trees play an important role as they help to create a suitable microclimate and natural environment, support biodiversity, provide shelter and food to natural enemies and pollinators, and prevent soil erosion. Existing trees should therefore be respected and where necessary new trees planted, preferably local (fruit) trees.
Social aspects
Create/describe the tasks and responsibilities that are essential to run the farm in a professional way, so that all people involved have plenty of reason to be proud of the good results and of being a farmer.
Pest and disease management
Pest and disease management should be based on prevention rather than curing. When curing is necessary, the method should disturb the environment as minimum as possible.
- Monitoring: Regular monitoring for the presence of pests and diseases should take place to be able to respond timely.
- Proper sanitation: Infested plant material should be properly disposed of to prevent spread of pests and diseases.
- Local natural solutions: If interventions for pest and disease control are required, the use of effective local solutions (herbal extracts and other concoctions, local production) should be first choice.
- Biocontrol input: If interventions are required for pest or disease control use a biological solution if available.
- Compatible synthetic pesticides: Synthetic pesticides should only be used if the problem cannot be properly managed with biocontrol. Pesticides should be compatible with the use of natural enemies and be used in a responsible way.
Market access and value
A higher yield and better quality product only increase the life standard of growers when they receive a good income for their products. Therefore, attention should also be paid to the context in which crops are produced; there should be a market for the product, and fair prices should be paid. Furthermore, appropriate storage and handling are necessary to ensure the quality of the product. Also, joining forces by establishing farmer cooperations will increase the chances of obtaining better prices. Lastly, (organic) certification may add to market value as well.
