Looks like we win: 36 to 11

Soil salinity reports for the parcel of the farm which was deep plowed and planted in Barley to encourage rainwater infiltration and salt uptake came in yesterday.  When we began the intervention soil was sampled and tests returned 36 ds/m in electroconductivity.  To put that number in perspective, it is roughly eight times the recommended level for vegetable crops and we were informed that only by irrigating with drinking water could we reasonably expect any productivity.  To put it mildly, the land was highly saturated with salt from the use of saline irrigation water.

The tests recently returned show the amount of salt dropped to 1/3rd its previous level after a single wet season, from 36 to 11ds/m.  This drastic reduction serves as proof of concept for our soil rehabilitation strategy and it bodes very well for next years harvest.

   

Farmer Feedback from First Year

The AC4D team held a stakeholder meeting and end of year evaluation this past week.  We brought in a pest management expert to discuss preventative pest management, discussed successes during the season and opened the time to farmers to direct the trials and demonstrations that we will undertake next year.

Key findings included several different new varieties that are growing well under Middle Ghor conditions as well as widespread requests for organic vs in-organic fertilization at the beginning of the season while planting.  About 20 farmers were in attendance.  Working groups were formed to discuss issues of importance in our area as well as to solicit feedback from our first years efforts.  Following the seminar and working groups everyone stayed for lunch.  After a long and exhausting season it was great to enjoy time with all of the people who made our trial and demo farm a success. 

One of the working groups

Operation Mercy Director Bob Cole was in attendance

 

Funding of Crucial Equipment by Australian Embassy

The Agricultural Cooperation for Development staff would like to extend our thanks to the Australian Embassy in Jordan for their farsighted contribution of greenhouses to our Jordan Valley demonstration farm.  These greenhouses are allowing us to demonstrate high value tomato, cucumber, and eggplant varieties to local farmers in support of our community development goals. 

Greenhouses being disassembled for transport

Greenhouses after assembly at the demo farm

Irrigation Pond and Pump Stand