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Millions of hillside subsistence farmers exist in all sorts of regions around the world. Despite their efforts to grow crops, fruits, and vegetables in order to support their livelihoods, low-cost solutions are needed in order to combat their lack of access to improved technology and information.

Low Cost Agriculture Solutions

The Israeli Military Technology developed 80cent storage bags called GrainPro Superbags that inhibit insects and fungi from living. They prevent the spread of fungi and pests through their control of 02 (which is only able to flow outside of the bag). Grains are recommended to be dried and fully sealed in these bags in order to result in greater success and in order to avoid fermentation.

Israeli Military Bags: GrainPro Superbags

Post-harvest, what is the most effective way to prevent pests and fungi from living and infecting grains & crops?

Fruits and veggies are major cash crops for female farmers around the world, but their shelf-lives are not long. In order to maximize their shelf-life so that female farmers can transport their foods to the market and/or so that women can use their food for longer periods of time, women should use reusable ‘green’ storage bags. Ripening fruits and veggies produce gas hormones (ethylene) which stimulate the ripening in other nearby fruits and veggies. These bags are coated with a mineral in order to increase absorption of these hormones.

Refrigeration

With regards to food consumption, which practice uses the most amount of energy?

Fertilizers aid plants in their growth and development, however a lot of fertilizer is often lost because of leaching and ineffective application. Contrary to popular belief, spreading large amounts of fertilizer on the ground causes leaching and can dehydrate plants over time. Crops also vary with regards to their growth and fertilizer needs, consequently applying fertilizer at appropriate times is necessary (and is not always solely appropriate at the onset of the growing season). Microdosing reduces fertilizer losses through smaller applications of fertilizer over lengthier periods of time. Fertilizer can be placed beside seeds before and/or during planting or afterwards, and can be measured using a bottle cap.

Microdosing

What is the most effective way to use fertilizers?

Pathogen or disease-infected seeds can affect crop yield and soil. While threshing and winnowing are effective ways of separating grains from their chaff/husk/leaves, etc. while also removing insects, they require beating grain on the floor, using hand cranks or shovels and other laborious techniques. Liquid treatments such as using a 1 tablespoon to 1 quart of water ratio, and letting seeds soak for 10-15 minutes prior to drying is an effective way to kill fungus, bacteria, and insect eggs near the surface.

Liquid Treatment

What is the least labour intensive seed preparation technique prior to planting that can increase yields later on?

Annual crops expose soil to wind and rain for part of the year which increases erosion. Through plowing, nutrients and organisms are disturbed and/or decomposed, and are often exposed to higher levels of oxygen and water. By practicing no-till agriculture/ planting into residues, moisture and nutrients are maintained and erosion is minimized.

No-till farming

What is the most effective way to reduce soil-erosion?

Low cost solutions and interventions are necessary in order to ameliorate agricultural yields while reducing laborious output. By promoting certain interventions, we have the capacity to empower female hillside farmers on a global scale.

Follow this link:http://youtube.com/watch?v=RtWoXvhKXM8

Created by Zoe GladstoneStudent at The University of Guelph*** I do not own any of these images. All images were taken off of Google.

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Low Cost Agriculture Solutions

Check out my video on 5 Low Cost Agricultural Solutions

View this video on YouTube

Low Cost Agriculture Solutions

Check out my video on 5 Low Cost Agricultural Solutions

View this video on YouTube

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