Short description of the best practice

The farmers in horticulture are using a biological method to control the efects of pests and diseases ocurring during the harvesting of crops. This biological method implies that a seedextract of Crotalaria striata or Smooth rattlebox, a herbaceous plant, is dissolved in a certain proportion of water. This mixture is then poured around the crops every two weeks. This method does not kill the pests, namely nematodes, but supresses them enough so that the crops can grow well. Another biological pesticide is the use of extracts of tobaccoleaves to kill plant louses.

Location

Suriname, district Saramacca|

If the location has well defined boundaries, specify its extension in hectares:

363600.0

Estimated population living in the location:

16135.0

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

Location is situated lies halfway the Atlantic coast in the north of Suriname.
Existing fauna and flora in this location are birds namely toucan and mash jay and primary tropical forest. Traditionally a lot of small- size agricultural familiyfarms have been established. Recently large-scale agricultural projects are developed mainly aimed at the production of banana and rice.
Soil in this location is very fertile but due to the use of synthetic fertilizers the fertility has reduced.
Soil consisit of 50 - 70% of clay and less than 2% of sand.

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

Information about the income level in this location is not available.
rights of ownership
The main income sources are agriculture, horticulture and petroleumextraction.|

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

- sustainability
- environmental friendly
-food safety
- income security

Main problems addressed by the best practice

The problem that this best practice addresses is the reduction of soil fertility due to the use of synthetic fertilizers which causes a scarce cropproduction. The ojective is to assist small farmers in the transition to competitive organic horticulture and the development of a sustainable agro supply chain.

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

-reduction of soil fertility
-damage to soil quality

Specify the objectives of the best practice

The ojective is to assist small farmers in the transition to competitive organic horticulture and the development of a sustainable agro supply chain.

Brief description of main activities, by objective

pest/disease  - pesticide             
1. plant louse  seed extract of                             
               smooth rattlebox or neem
2. round worm   extract of tobacco leaves
3. cucumber moth   neem extract/ dissolved soap
4. beetle          flour solution
     pest/disease - pesticide
1. white beans mite  flour solution
2. mite              neem extract
3. spring beetle     extract of bitterwood/ quassia or
                    tobacco
4. stemborer         soapsolution
5. gall midge        soapsolution
Abovementioned pests are common for crops such as paprica, pepper, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, chinese cabbage, soup greens, beans, black-eyed peas, cucumber. |

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

The farmers in horticulture are using a biological method to control the effects of pests and diseases ocurring during the harvesting of crops. This biological method implies that a seedextract of Crotalaria striata or Smooth rattlebox, a herbaceous plant, is solved in a certain proportion of water. |
No technical specifications available

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

Caribbean Institute
|Caribbean Institute-Suriname
Hoekstraat, Paramaribo
Suriname

Was the technology developed in partnership?

No

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• National initiative – non-government-led

Specify:

not available

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

- farmers in horticulture

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

The farmers were trained in the principles of organic horticulture meaning they were provided with hands- on experimentation with new practices

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Yes

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

better crop yield

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

No

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

highly motivated farmers

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

Related to human resources

Since TBI-Suriname has a good working relationship with the Faculty of Technology, research findings can be incorporated in the curriculum to further develop human capacity in this field|

Related to financial aspects

not available

Related to technical aspects

not available