AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL Grain Crops Institute Mr. W Snijman Mr. P du Toit / Me A de Beer snijmanw@arc.agric.za
ARC – Grain Crops Institute • Mandated to serve the entire summer grain and oil- and protein seed crop sectors • Conducts research and technology transfer training • To achieve international and national productivity and competitiveness
Mandatory oil seeds development • Bambara • Dry bean • Groundnut • Canola • Soybean • Cowpea • Sunflower
Where do you find us? Potchefstroom Chris Hani Avenue 114 General inquiries: 018-299 6100
Objectives of ARC- GCI’s programmes • To identify specific varieties, selected by farmers, to establish a strong foundation for a successful seed provision system • To increase the on-farm yield level of the crop in order to improve household food security • To establish more sustainable and economic viable cropping systems in the targeted farming areas • To contribute significantly to the establishment of an effective seed provision system. • To establish a strong knowledge and information support system within the ranks of local extension services and the farming communities • To provide resources (basic seed) and technical support to help establish an effective seed provision system • To provide a continuous flow of relevant information to extension services and farmers of the targeted farming communities • Unlocking the potential of small scale “PULSES Crops” production
PULSES and Food Security Discussion Forum Advantages of cultivating PULSES and available research and technologies. • enhancing soil quality, • human and animal nutrition Capacitating emerging farmers to play an effective role in the food production chain.
Introduction • Rural households rely on PULSES crops as their food source. • Mono-cropping resulted in soil nutrient depletion and poor crop performance so evident in many farming areas in the provinces. • A historical over-emphasis on the production of maize neglected legume crops. • Grain legumes such as cowpea, groundnut and dry beans are seen as alternative crops • The challenge is to revitalise legume production and to increase agricultural production and income at farm level. • This is done by practical interventions such as on-farm trials, participatory technology development activities and interactive training sessions.
Three sub-divisions to introduce ARC- GCI’s involvement: A. Research B. Technology transfer C. Training Limpopo Mpumalanga Free State Other
A.Research • The objective of the Tafelkop study was to evaluate what contribution grain legumes cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), in rotation with maize, can make to improve the cropping system at the Tafelkop farming community. • The trial started in the 2010/11 when maize, cowpea and groundnut were planted. • In the second season (2011/12) all blocks were planted with maize. • Significant differences were observed in yield and yield components • Maize in a rotation clearly demonstrated higher yield levels compared to maize in monoculture. - and NH 4 + content contributed to the • It is highly probable that the N0 3 superior performance of the maize in rotation. • A rotational effect also contributed to the higher yield in maize
The effect of two legume crops on yield at Tafelkop - 2011/12. Sequence* Grain yield of maize (kg ha -1 ) Maize in rotation with Cowpea 2 404 Maize in mono-culture 993 Maize in rotation with groundnut 2 946 The project’s outdoor classrooms. Crop rotation trial at Tafelkop
B. Technology transfer • Information and farmers days • Radio and Television Broadcasts • Congress presentations • Publications • On-farm training
Scholars introduced to crop production NAMPO
C. Training Limpopo • Six farmer workshops held reaching a total of 178 participating farmers. • Five feed-back and planning sessions were conducted and 83 farmers were actively involved. • Training events created excellent opportunities for purposeful interaction, technology transfer and effective communication among all role players • The project has made a significant contribution to increase interest and knowledge on legume crops. • The project serves to be instrumental in legume production in the target communities.
Project localities selected Locality District Municipality Crop investigated Ratanang Mopani Maruleng Cowpea Tshiombo Vhembe Thulamela Dry beans (Irrigated) Eenzaam Sekhukhuni Makhudu Thamaga Cowpea Leeukraal Sekhukhuni Makhudu Thamaga Cowpea and Dry beans Tafelkop Sekhukhuni Elias Motsoaledi Cowpea Stacking the groundnut crop at harvest Farmer participation during a field time – a training session at Puleng. school at Tafelkop.
Number of farmers attending information days Locality Date Number of farmers reached Ratanang 23 February 42 Leeukraal 08 March 45 Tafelkop 09 March 52 Eenzaam 10 March 35 Total: 174 On-farm trial : farmer Mr. Moagi
Mpumalanga To empower a group of three pilot farmers in Dipaleseng to successfully produce 68 ha of sugar beans. Utilise three production blocks as demonstration and training platforms to reach out to a target group of 20 potential sugar bean producers. Seed treatment at Mpembe Total cost of production: Mpembe farmers R 9878 x 25 ha =R 246 950 Uthembekile farmers R 7064 X 23 ha = R 162 472 Harambe farmers R 7189 x 20 ha = R 143 780 Total cost of the 68 ha unit = R 553 202 Determining plant density Johannes Simelane Proud farmer Farmer Gogo and part of her bagged harvest
Project outcomes Producer income Farming unit Ha allocated Yield in Yield in bags Total yield Price per ton Income (ton/ha) (50 kg) (Ton) (R) (R) Mpembe 25 0.86* 430 21.5 12 500** 268750 Uthembekile 23 1.55 713 35.65 14 000*** 499 100 Harambe 20 0.875* 350 17.5 12 500** 218 750 Total 68 - 1 493 74.65 - 986 600 3000 2500 Grain yield kg/ha 2000 1500 1000 500 0 1999/2000 '2000/01 '2001/02 Cropping season Yield performance of three dry bean varieties (combined) at Mlondozi in Mpumalanga
Free State Mr Tsotetsi • A project between DRDLR and ARC was launched in August 2013 to capacitate farmers in the Mokgolokoeng and Diyatalawa districts. • Five beneficiaries from Diyatalawa. • Thirty beneficiaries from Mokgolokoeng • Three additional beneficiaries were added during 2014/2015: Mr Motsoeneng, DTB Coop, Mr Tsotetsi • During 2013/2014 dry beans was planted at Diyatalawa (200 ha) and Mokgolokoeng (30 ha) • During 2013/2014 sunflower was planted at Mokgolokoeng (160 ha) • VKB was co-opted as farmers support entity
Yields and Income FARMER TONS HA YIELD SOLD (NETT PRICE) HARVESTED Potato Group 35.790 30 1.193 R5 093/t = R182 278.47 + R5 355 (VAT) and the R38 250 insurance = R225 883.47 Start harvesting: 27/5/15 Chief group 52.916 50 1.058 R5 093/t = R269 501.19 + R12 778.50 (VAT) and R91 275 insurance = R373 554.69 Start harvesting: 28/5/15 Motsoeneng 44.679 40 1.117 R5 093/t = R227 550.15 Start harvesting: 21/5/15 Tsotetsi 27.520 40 0.688 R5 092/t = R140 131.84 Start harvesting: 25/5/15 TOTAL 160.905 160 1.014 R819 461.65 (Excl. Insurance) R948 986.65 (Incl. Insurance but Excl. VAT) Dry beans at Diyatalawa
Outcomes in the Free State • The inclusion of VKB was a key factor to the success • The rational was to involve local agri-businesses to start building a working relationship to supply on-farm assistance, support and building up a credit history after the project has ended • This project provides a gateway to the farmers towards commercialisation • A profit of R948 986.65 was achieved with the Free State project
Milestones achieved in projects: • Practical on-farm experience in various aspects of sugar bean production by the three pilot farmers • Fifty farmers exposed to and gaining in-field experience on the production of sugar beans • The project inspired farmers to become sugar bean producers in the future • Pilot farmers were directly exposed to the marketing environment of sugar beans • The project management team gained valuable experience in the implementation of inter-institutional projects of this nature • All farmer groups actively involved in the planning of the project. • Farmers participated well in the planting of the various trials. • Farmers were also tasked to participate in the maintenance of the on-farm trial plots
However Constraints hampering farmers to make a significant contribution • Poor seed/input supply systems • Poor mechanization support systems • Low levels of knowledge • Low soil fertility • High production risks
Future Farmers – to capitalize on the technological advances Industry – to create effective input-output market opportunities Research – Provide information and develop technology in participation with farmers Advisory services Eenzaam farmers share Technology dissemination cowpea info with our Foskor visitors. Emerging farming Systems and Training Farmers - On-farm trials - Farmer’s participation, Farmer’s day at Ratanang - Demonstrations Extension - Higher level - Monitoring and evaluation Formal and informal training
Recommend
More recommend
