This post is lifted almost straight from here. It is worth considering for Wetar’s farmers – especially given that they have Gliricidia there already. Note the key to success – cut it very low to the ground so that during main growing season it can’t compete with the food crops. Planting trees that improve soil […]
This shrub legume is able to fix nitrogen even when the land is flooded. That is unusual for a legume. It is widely used in countries such as Bangladesh where it adds up to 200 kg N/ha as a green manure that is chopped down and allowed to rot in the paddy soil, prior to […]
We are currently writing a training manual on wise use of insecticides and more – the challenges of dealing with weeds, diseases and insects. We are keen to take an ecological approach, starting with key features we can learn from rain forests (biodiversity, keep soil covered, minimal use of fire, recycle organic matter). This link […]
The photo below shows a simple system that might work well in Wetar’s wet season. Here in New Zealand we use a similar system to provide warmth to young corn and pumpkins during the cold spring.
Here’s a list of legumes that are common in Indonesia and are likely to be useful on Wetar. Cowpea (Vigna sinensis) – 100 g of various kinds – worth getting, but check packets – we don’t want to import any weevils. Dolichos lablab – 500g of seed required (various types available- we should have 200 g […]
The sheet on brassicas- that is the family of all cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, pak choi, chinese cabbage etc- is available on the page called Good Agricultural practices. Here we show a cauli grown during a lot of rain in 2010. Photo taken in early August. These cauli’s were started in a polybag with insect proof […]
Here is a photo of a tomato- growing well- the right seed has been used and plenty of animal manure for fertility. However there were no stakes and not enough pruning of lateral/side branches. The photo shows a branch that should have been pruned out when only 5 cm long. If you have too many […]
Here in Eastern Indonesia Velvet bean is known as the Evil bean- Kacang jahat. It is rampant and a really different plant to the well known and useful bean of the tropical ag literature. So what makes this so nasty? The pods have fine hairs that are extremely itchy when you get them anywhere near […]
To grow great watermelons we need to increase soil fertility without having to buy/use chemical fertiliser. We set up, in late April 2010 at U a trial using two rows of four planting holes with Velvet bean foliage and two rows of four planting holes without velvet bean foliage. The plan is to allow the […]
Wetar farmers keep goats and pigs in small enclosures. Animals tend to be underfed and very skinny. There is a wild bean (Mucuna pruriens) known locally as the evil bean – kacang jahat- because of its very itchy pods. However, there are times each year, when there are none of these pods to irritate people […]