Haitian Agriculture Solutions

Presentation on the use of seed tape to advance agriculture in Haiti

Transcript

1. Productivity and Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Haitian Agriculture The Case for Smallholder Farming Solutions by the BonTerra Group 25 October 2012
2. Current state • Agriculture is significant economic driver • Majority of farmers have plots < 1.5 Ha • Lack access to quality seed and inputs • 80% of population lives in poverty • Demand for food is expected to grow ~10-15 percent over the next five years Government of Haiti Action Plan • Increase local production of staples to ensure food security • Increase farmer’s income and create jobs in rural areas • Increase foreign exchange earnings agricultural exports • Reduce post-harvest losses by 50 percent in priority watersheds • Improve health and nutrition of the Haitian population, especially the vulnerable Background
3. Annual Farming Cycles Seed Bed Preparation Planting Fertilization Crop Protection Harvest Seed Bed Preparation Planting Fertilization Crop Protection Harvest First Season Crops Second Season Crops
4. Planting Overview Slight misplacement Ideal Planting Hand Planting 1-2” in. Conventional Planting Uneven Depth Uneven Spacing Skips Double Plant Proper seed to soil contact, consistent plant spacing and even depth impacts emergence which impacts yield
5. Fertilizer Overview 1-2” in. Proper fertilizer or pesticide placement impacts vigor Inaccurate Fertilizer App Flat Rate Entire Field Ideal Planting Hand Planting Conventional Planting
6. Seed Tape: Low-Tech Tools for High-Tech Planting Precision Seed Tape with Application Material Seed Tape without Application Material or Like baler twine(Plants about ~0.5 Ha)
7. Seed Tape: Part of a Low-Cost, High Yield Farming Solution • Two parts to seed tape solution • Seed tape “former” • Stationary unit that meters seed and fertilizer into a “tape” that can be planted • Seed tape row unit • Hand pushed row unit that embeds pre-made “tape” into the ground • Mechanical toolbar that embeds pre made “tape” into the ground
8. Seed Tape: Planting with Fertilizer Major Impacts Even Emergence Accurate Depth Even Spacing Improved Seed-to-Soil Contact Proper Fertilizer Placement Hand Planting Hand Planting Seed Tape
9. Seed Tape: General Impacts • Grower Profitability • Higher productivity, improved input utilization, complexity reduction • Social/Environmental • Improved agricultural ecosystem
10. Seed Tape: Off-Site Precision and In-Field Simplicity • Economically increases crop production, yield, diversity and quality • Metering is done in a controlled environment • Better seed spacing • Proper seed rate • Forming and covering furrow more uniform (compared to hand) • Better seed to soil contact • Better seed placement • Fertilizer and Chemical placed properly • Pre-Packaged tape can allow for better matching hybrids into emerging markets • Economically delivers precision farming to emerging markets • Removing meter off site allows for lower cost application equipment • Have tape with various seed rates depending on soil type
11. Seed Bed Preparation Planting Fertilization Crop Protection Harvest Partner Partner Polyculture Mobile Pasture BonTerra Group BonTerra Group: Integrated Farming Solutions
12. Seeds 4 The World: Opportunities for Entrepreneurship in Haiti Final Specifications Initial Specifications Feedback & Revisions Customer Prototype Design Prototype Production Prototype Delivery & Support Dec 2012 Feb 2013 Apr 2013 Jun 2013 Aug 2013 Production Haitian Entrepreneurship in Agriculture Seeds 4 The World with Partners in Agriculture
13. BonTerra Group: Project Vision • Deliver working prototype of seed tape planting solution in partnership with the government of Haiti • Work closely with local farmers to implement solution on 50 Ha • Monitor and measure field activities throughout growing season(s) • Develop adoptable commercial planting solution