By R. Navalona published in Midi Madigasikara 11 Nov 2014 (modified Google translation)
Harvesting of
coffee associated with planting acacia looks good in the district of Arivonimamo II, thanks to this new cultivation technique.
The agro-ecology or conservation agriculture technique is highly developed in Madagascar. "The country itself becomes a model material for the African and European countries, as it is now in a more advanced stage. Due to the participation of
project managers and technicians from Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Nigeria as well as European countries at the International Conference on rainfed agriculture for
sustainable agriculture in the Big Island "Rakotondramanana explained, the executive director of the GSDM association.
conclusive results
This is a conference organized by CIRAD, IRD and FOFIFA under Agriculture For Africa (AFA). After the exchange of experiences, participants conducted a field visit to Ambanitsena Analavory and to see firsthand the use of agro-ecological technology by farmers. A MANGATANY in the district of Arivonimamo II, farmers trained by Agrisud affiliated to GSDM have established an arabica coffee plantation since December 2011. "It combines the culture of acacia used to shade coffee in addition to its nitrogen input to the soil. Acacia debris is also used as bedding for
compost. A plan for the use of the holding has also been adopted through intercropping maize or upland rice or other legumes.” said Onja Rakotobenarivo, a management technician from Agrisud. "The results of this first planting of Arabica coffee are conclusive, because the yield can be up to 1 to 1.8 kg of Arabica coffee cherries per foot from the first crop after three years. Peak production between 5 and 6 kg of coffee cherries per foot can be achieved, " he added.
biological insecticides
Moreover, agroecology is favorable as agro-forestry for protecting watersheds in Ankalalahana, also in the district Arivonimamo II. There are plantations of fruit
trees. The Agrisud also trains farmers in making liquid compost from plant debris. The organisation provides them with the necessary materials to build a compost system. "These biological insecticides are used for the protection of our planting of green beans against insects. We have been supplying 220 kg of beans per month to Lecofruit foar the past two years, at 770 Ariary per kg. This activity is profitable because we earn around 50,000 Ariary per week," testified Monique Raharizaka, a farmer in Antsampandrano, Ambatolampy. In short, all stakeholders recognize that agro-ecology that promotes organic farming is very favorable for sustainable development.
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