chosen and plans made for subsequent trainings and demonstration plots (see below) An initial on-the-job training for lead farmers was held at the District Farmer Training Center (FTC). The training –given by ZARI, ICRAF and SNV (on gender) - included technical training as well as training on rolling out to follower farmers. Camp extension officers, crop husbandry officer, and senior agricultural officers were also present. The follower farmers were identified by the lead farmers themselves and focused on fellow villagers within a practical distance from the demo plot sites. The lead farmers were provided with log books to record trainings and bicycles to follow up the follower farmers, as well as seeds. Trainings on planting started when the rains took hold, followed by weeding and pest control. Harvesting happened in April and May 2017 and will be reported upon during the May 2017 review. A key challenge was revealed following SNV monitoring visits. There was a grave misunderstanding on the tree planting protocol. This included fundamental aspects of spacing and even of species use. An additional training was scheduled at the FTC focusing only on tree planting. It was also reiterated that a hedge ought to be planted around the demo-plots, whereby a choice was given to plant pigeon pea or Tephrosia. The actual tree planting on the demonstration plots took place in beginning of 2017, but it can already be said that overall this was a success with a provisional survival rate of 90%. At the time of the second training at FTC, the occasion was seized to demonstrate the linkage of AF to biomass production for fuel pellets with the ECS cook-stoves. 5.4 Establishment of Tree Nurseries: Nine smallholder farmers were identified and trained by ICRAF on how to set up tree nursery enterprises. To enhance backstopping for the tree nursery farmers 6 extension officers, 2 DACOs and SNV SILMS officers were also trained by ICRAF on how to set up and maintain a tree nursery enterprise. As part of the training an exposure visit to ICRAF Malawi was arranged for
chosen and plans made for subsequent trainings and demonstration plots (see below) An initial on-the-job training for lead farmers was held at the District Farmer Training Center (FTC). The training –given by ZARI, ICRAF and SNV (on gender) - included technical training as well as training on rolling out to follower farmers. Camp extension officers, crop husbandry officer, and senior agricultural officers were also present. The follower farmers were identified by the lead farmers themselves and focused on fellow villagers within a practical distance from the demo plot sites. The lead farmers were provided with log books to record trainings and bicycles to follow up the follower farmers, as well as seeds. Trainings on planting started when the rains took hold, followed by weeding and pest control. Harvesting happened in April and May 2017 and will be reported upon during the May 2017 review. A key challenge was revealed following SNV monitoring visits. There was a grave misunderstanding on the tree planting protocol. This included fundamental aspects of spacing and even of species use. An additional training was scheduled at the FTC focusing only on tree planting. It was also reiterated that a hedge ought to be planted around the demo-plots, whereby a choice was given to plant pigeon pea or Tephrosia. The actual tree planting on the demonstration plots took place in beginning of 2017, but it can already be said that overall this was a success with a provisional survival rate of 90%. At the time of the second training at FTC, the occasion was seized to demonstrate the linkage of AF to biomass production for fuel pellets with the ECS cook-stoves. 5.4 Establishment of Tree Nurseries: Nine smallholder farmers were identified and trained by ICRAF on how to set up tree nursery enterprises. To enhance backstopping for the tree nursery farmers 6 extension officers, 2 DACOs and SNV SILMS officers were also trained by ICRAF on how to set up and maintain a tree nursery enterprise. As part of the training an exposure visit to ICRAF Malawi was arranged for
Final%202016_SILM%20Annual%20Report%20corrected_Edited.KC-FINAL_clv2IKS.docx