Agricultural Extension Programme
The focus of the extension activities in April was on completing need assessment
surveys with IDPs and local farmer groups in Agjabedi and Beylagan. The survey results of
all groups were analyzed and discussed. The results can be summarized as follows.
Extension activities successfully increased the knowledge of beneficiaries and
non-beneficiaries on gardening and the optimal way of using Ghs. Produced commodities
contributed in part to secure food needs and generate income. Remaining production
problems concern plant protection (control of mole-cricket, other insects and parasitic
weeds), the management of saline soils, and in several cases the accessibility to water.
Future objectives include obtaining land, establish a farming enterprise, receive credit
to purchase the necessary farm inputs (seeds, equipment, labor) and get guidance and
directions on cropping, and marketing. There is a rapidly growing demand for information
on farming activities (agriculture and livestock rearing) via agricultural extension
delivery services, and there is much demand for the organization of input delivery and
marketing of surplus production.
In addition to these surveys, regular extension activities continued. Table 1
summarizes the information of the extension activities during April 1999:
Table 1:
|
Clients % |
Clients % |
Clients % |
Total |
|
women |
men |
refugees |
local |
beneficiaries |
non-beneficiaries |
|
Total |
57 |
43 |
87 |
13 |
71 |
29 |
1234 |
Principal topics discussed during regular extension work were: land preparation for
transplanting juvenile plants from the Ghs into the open gardens, cropping of tomatoes and
cucumbers in Ghs, and storage of the plastic sheeting after taking it off from the
greenhouse. For the latter topic, extension aid material developed by one DEA field staff
was helpful. Copies of this extension aid material have been distributed to groups.
Training of DEA staff continued.
1.2 Distribution of Greenhouses to IDP Families
Since March 1999, the distribution of Ghs has been completed. A detailed list on the
number and locations of Ghs distributed are joint in the annex.
1.3 Miscellaneous
Staff has represented DEA at several meetings in Baku and in the region of Agcadedi and
Beylagan.
DEA staff paid an exchange visit to the agricultural information center in Zakatala.
This centers conducts since January 1999 similar extension activities as DEA but has far
less experience. It was decided that a regular exchange will be conducted between the two
organiztions.
|