Download publications containing practical information in Agriculture

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Find below a range of relevant magazines/brochures and publications with complementary and practical information on agriculture, health, livestock and on securing and increasing harvests through simple, environmentally friendly means. Download Magazine/Bronchures and Publications

Download TOF Organic Farmer Magazine (Search by keywords or issue, audio and text versions)

Information on soil, water and land management, animal husbandry and animal diseases

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Information on soil, water and land management, animal husbandry and animal diseases etc... View the information here

information on medicinal plants, fruit preservation and cultural methods

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Many more information on medicinal plants, fruit preservation and cultural methods View the information here

Information on major main pests, diseases, weeds and natural enemies common in East Africa

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Information on major main pests, diseases, weeds and natural enemies common in East Africa; common names in different languages, regional distribution maps and lots of images and illustrations for easy identification View the information here

Information on major crops, vegetables and fruits prevalent in East Africa

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Information on major crops, vegetables and fruits prevalent in East Africa, including crop husbandry, soil and water management, cultural methods and organic pest management, with illustrated descriptions for quick and accurate identification of crop pests and diseases. View the information here

Neem leaves for Non-chemical pest Management

Common Names: Neem, Margosa tree
Scientific name: Azadirachta indica
Family: Meliaceae

Materials

§ Neem leaf extract

§ 1kg of neem leaves

§ Mortar and pestle

§ Used cotton cloth

§ Bucket

§ Soap

§ String

Methods of Preparation

• Pound neem leaves gently.
• Place in a Bucket.
• Add 2liters of water.
• Cover the mouth of the Bucket securely with the cloth and leave it as such for 3 days.
• Strain to get clear extract.

How to use

• Dilute 1 liter of neem leaf extract with 9 liters of water.
• Add 100 ml of soap.
• Stir well.
• Spray on the infested plants.
  

Targeted pest

• Aphids
• Colorado beetles
• Grasshopper
• Grubs

• Locusts
• Thrips
• Weevils
• Whiteflies

For more information visit http://www.oisat.org/

Alternative Fodder

Alternative Fodder

As a result of prolonged drought linked to climate changes, communities in Mwingi District have now turned to modified alternative fodder for their livestock feeds. Mwingi is an Arid Semi Arid Land (ASAL) area found in lower Eastern Province, it covers a total of six Districts, which are Mwingi Central, Mwingi East, Mwingi West, Kyuso, Tseikuru and Mumoni. Although the area is dry most times of the year, the economic potential is high and cuts across all the sectors. This includes ventures in agricultural activities and trading in quite a number of goods and services.
The climate of the District is generally hot and dry for the greater part of the year. The maximum mean annual temperature ranges between 260 C and 340 C whereas the minimum mean annual temperature ranges between 140 C and 220 C. This translates into an
average annual temperature of 240 C. The District experiences long stretches of dry and hot seasons. Farmers depend on March-August rains and November- December rains.
The area has experienced a one and a half year prolonged drought due to the failure of December 2008 and March 2009 rains.
All forests and crops have dried up as well as the grass and what remains are dry rivers, skeleton of a forest and plain land.
Kyuso District depends on livestock as an economic activity. Last year most cattle died due to hunger and only a few heads survived the drought. Those surviving were thin and weak and vulnerable to diseases and even death. For lack of food, they turned to feeding on plastics, leather shoes and polythene papers.
The Ministry of Agriculture supplied very little relief grass to a few communities that was not enough. The grass distributed was dry that the animals could not feed on without water. The Livestock Agricultural officers were left with no option but to advise the community to feed the animals on anything that has water and is green, so long as they survive.
They gathered into groups to discuss how they can feed their livestock to avoid the deaths। They identifield trees that store water in their roots and stems as a drought coping mechanism, and decided to use them during drought as an alternative livestock feeds. See full details>>