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C.A.R.E.Conservative Agriculture for Rural Empowerment

Glen de Villafranca Nick Lancaster Dan Letts Kate McCarthy Diego MolinaNIGERIA1Development is the increased freedom and opportunity to improve ones life and pursue ends according to ones interests, preferences, and needs.Our Definition of DevelopmentState of Nigeria92% live under $2 a day71% live under $1 a dayLife expectancy is 47 yearsRanks 216 out of 224 countries in the worldHighest number of malnourished children in the worldRanks 158th out of 182 countries on the Human Development Index

Development Constraints in NigeriaPatron-Client SystemInefficient and Unaccountable GovernmentDomination of the Oil IndustryMisallocation of ResourcesPovertyLarge Rural-Urban DivideMalnutritionUnderperforming Agricultural SectorPoor Education SystemLow Enrollment Rates

Agriculture in NigeriaInefficient TechniquesDeteriorated SoilUnrealized potential

Current ProblemsLand Used for Farming in NigeriaEducation in NigeriaLow Enrollment Rates60% Primary35% SecondaryReasons for Low EnrollmentPoverty of ParentsParents do not see the value of educationChildren need to be at home to contribute to family incomeFew employment optionsEducation and OpportunitiesPoverty Impedes EducationCyclical patternFormal education can lack applicabilityFew opportunities

We aim to educate rural communities in more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices through the establishment of a demonstrative conservative agriculture farm at a school.

MissionWhat is Conservative Agriculture?No Tillage

Cover Crops

Crop Rotation

More Efficient LaborNo tillageDirect seedingReduced weeding

Much less time is required compared to conventional agriculture

More Efficient Labor

Hours Per HectareFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Over time, yields have been known to increase to twice and even three times initial production

Increased Yields

Environmental BenefitsLess soil erosionReduced pesticide use

Increased water infiltration to soilIncreased carbon sequestration

BiodiversityBetter soil quality

Conservative Agriculture WorksBrazilGhanaEgyptKenyaSwazilandJordanVenezuelaCuba

CA Is Well Suited to NigeriaClimate

Soil Conditions

Inefficient Current Farming Techniques Bush Fallow Conventional

How CA Can Help NigeriaGo beyond subsistence agricultureAmeliorate malnutrition epidemicAllow farmers to expand productionAllow small farmers to escape poverty

Establish a farm at a rural school Incorporate CA into curriculum Educate school and community Empower rural Nigerians to shape their own futures

Conservative Agriculture for Rural EmpowermentWhat C.A.R.E. will accomplishBenefits of conservative agricultureEconomicalAgronomicalEnvironmentalBenefits to studentsHands on educationNutritionBenefits to communityNo-risk exposure to CAStep 1: PreparationStep 2: Education and Training of SupervisorsStep 3: Preparing the LandStep 4: Select and Plant a Cover CropStep 5: Cultivate Staple CropsHow It Will WorkStep 1: PreparationsChoose a locationRuralSuitable Climate and Soil Conditions

Unproductive agricultural sectorPotential

Step 1: PreparationsKogi State, NigeriaOne of the poorest in NigeriaAbsent Sharia lawVery rural and agrarianSuitable soil and climate conditions

Agricultural Development Constraints: Kogi State

High Financial ConstraintsLow Environmental ConstraintsLow Socio-cultural ConstraintsStep 1: PreparationsSelect a schoolIn selected areaNumber of students on par with national average

Available farmlandWilling to adopt CA into curriculum

Step 1: PreparationsHigh yield to labor ratioEasily cultivated and harvestedNutritiousDiverseAdapted to climate, soilInexpensive

CassavaEgusiCowpeaBambara

Select cropsCrops ChosenCassavaTubergrown undergroundHigh yieldNigeria is worlds largest exporterRich in carbohydratesLeaves are rich in proteinEasy to prepare

EgusiMelon, harvested for nutritious seedsEssential oilsAmino acidsProteinIncredibly easy to prepareStores wellHigh yield for minimal labor

CowpeaLegume, black-eyed peaSignificant sources of:Vitamins A and CCalciumIronFiberProteinFast maturityVersatileCan be eaten at different stages of development

BambaraGround nut, similar to a peanutNutritiousVery high in carbohydratesVitamins and minerals: calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, methioneProteinHigh amount of calories per kilogramEasy to cultivate and harvest

Step 2: Educating and TrainingFirst step in implementation

Teachers, volunteers and local communities

Step 2: Educating and TrainingEducating teachersImportance of management skillsExplain conservative agricultureHelp work into curriculum

Step 2: Educating and TrainingFinding and training volunteersImportant for assistance on the farmCulturally awareYear-long stabilityIdentify potential volunteers:Work with NGOsSuggestions from community leaders

Step 2: Educating and TrainingCommunity workshops and seminarsImportance of community participationDemonstrate advantages of CA

Step 3: Preparing the LandPrepare farming plot for cultivation

Step 4: Plant Cover CropSorghumGrassEasily controlledPlant several times to build up quality of soilFits well into crop rotation

Very easy to cultivate, minimal care once planted Direct seeding and simple harvest Cassava, Egusi, Cowpea, BambaraStep 5: Cultivating Staple Crops

Crop CycleExample Plots forOne YearConventional Agriculture PlotConservative Agriculture Plot36Food Production (Estimated)We expect to produce a yearly total of:10.5kg Cassava4.18kg Cowpea4.62kg Egusi Seeds7.14kg Bambara25.44kg of Total Food

Students will receive an average of .124kg (.273lbs) of food per day as a snack.

Budget: Start-up Costs

Total Start-up:

$2,868.82Annual Costs

Annual Budget:

$110.25Conservative agriculture is effectiveIt is ideal for NigeriaC.A.R.E. will a have real impact at a very low costConclusionQUESTIONS?