Forestry is one of the most dangerous of all occupations; it is sometimes called a “3D” job – dirty, difficult and dangerous. Occupational health and safety in forestry can be greatly improved, however, through adequate worker training and supervision and the use of safety equipment, among other things. This article...

Zaï as they are known in Burkina Faso, or tassa in Niger, are wide deep planting pits. They act as a microcatchment and can be used to rehabilitate soils when used with manure. They have been very successful in West Africa during the last 25 years.

Pollen is collected by the honeybees from the anthers of flowers while they visit them. Pollen is stored in the pollen baskets on the posterior legs of the bees and brought to the hive. To make the pollen stick together, the bees add some saliva and nectar. In the hive,...

Demi-lunes (half-moons) are in the shaped of a semi-circle with the tips of the bunds on the contour. They come in a variety of sizes, which help with water harvesting in semi-arid areas. They help to improve soil fertility when manure or compost is added.

Trees produce timber and firewood, but also fruit, pods, leaves and medicines for people and livestock. Some species help improve soil fertility and reduce local temperatures. The system supports crops and livestock.

A parte del papel de las abejas sin aguijón en la polinización de los cultivos, podría haber un beneficio adicional a partir de los valiosos productos producidos por la colmena: miel, polen y propóleos. Esta tecnología estudia el procedimiento para la recolección de miel, polen y propóleos de abejas sin...

Integrated soil fertility management is based on maximising the use of organic fertilizers and minimizing the loss of nutrients.

Pollen is one of the products of the beehive that the beekeeper can collect to increase his/her income from beekeeping. Pollen is often called the "super food". High performance athletes are quoted as eating pollen because of its high energetic power. Each pollen grain carries a variety of vitamins, proteins...

The main aim is to reduce costs and improve profitability. Soil health is improved as is soil moisture. Zambia is leading the way in Sub-Saharan Africa and this programme shows how the technique is practised.

Increasing plant populations by reducing the planting distance is a key step to achieving a uniform crop stand and a high yield. On the other hand, when plants are too close to each other this can hamper good crop development. The plants will be thin and will be susceptible to...

Une colonie d’abeilles peut se diviser en produisant un ou plusieurs essaims de production si elle grossit et devient surpeuplée. Ces essains peuvent s’installer dans des ruches places par les apiculteurs ou bien dans d’autres endroits adapter pour le development de la colonie. Cette fiche explique comment capturer une colonie...

Las cáscaras de coco se utilizan para hacer la cosecha de miel más fácil y disminuir la mortalidad de las abejas jóvenes o cría. La forma más habitual de recolección de miel de las colonias salvajes destruye una gran parte de la colmena. Las abejas necesitan mucho tiempo para reparar...

Nematodes are dreadful worms that live in the soil and in the roots of many different crops and weeds. Nematodes are easier to prevent than to control. The secret is to: grow healthy seedlings; destroy all sources of nematodes in and near your vegetable field; rotate with crops that are...

In this video, we will learn from farmers how one can save money by making their own concentrate feed for their livestock and fish. Many farmers do not have enough good feed, they can buy concentrate feed that is rich in nutrients, but such feed is costly. By making a base...

Earthworm compost can increase soil fertility and help increase the production of vegetables in poor and salty soils. Here we will learn about a fast and easy way to make earthworm compost on a small piece of land.

This handbook presents a guidance and protocol for determining the socio-economic value of pollinator-friendly versus -unfriendly practices that can be implemented at different spatial levels (for example, farms or landscapes). Values are generally quantified by contrasts. This protocol shows contrast between pollinator-friendly vs. unfriendly practices. By focusing on practices, this...

In this Video, we will visit the city of Fayoum where a group of women are collaborating in raising chicks by paying close attention to the chicks’ housing, feed and vaccination programs.

Una de las formas mediante las cuales los apicultores aumentan la cantidad de familias es comprando núcleos, los cuales consisten en una pequeña familia de abejas que puede estar formado por 4 o 5 marcos. También muchas veces aumentan el número de familias cuando reciben enjambres desde sus mismas colmenas...

This publication provides guidance on using a common methodology for monitoring pollinator diversity and abundance, as part of the GEF supported Project “Conservation and Management of Pollinators for Sustainable Agriculture, through an Ecosystem Approach” implemented in seven countries - Brazil, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan and South Africa. The project...

In this video, we will visit the rooftop brooders of the women in Fayoum – and we will learn from them the key steps for a successful household chick raising business.