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 Soil fertility for all A BETTER FOOD FOR FARMERS AND MINERS Farming is the backbone of all human societies. In developing countries the largest part of the population, grow their own food and rely on soil fertility to keep production levels. Water and fertilizer are essential for a good crop growth. However, access to fertilizer is limited and chemical fertilizers are often too expensive. We train farmers, cooperatives and horticultural companies to make their own fertilizers with locally available materials. Our trainees learn how to use crop residues, manure, sugar, yeast, charcoal, ash, stone meal and manure to produce different type of fertilizers that match soil and crop requirements. Our training packages offer tailor made solutions to build fertile soils for organic production. APPROACH There are two types of trainings: A) Basic training – self supply of fertilizers for organic production. This training uses a practical modular framework, capacitating participants to identify local resources and produce fertilizers and other agricultural inputs. After the training participants know how to produce and use cost effective high quality organic fertilizers, such as, Bio-­‐Fertilizer (Spray), Bocashi (composts) or Ash solution (Spray) B) Advanced trainings (tailored) – (1) large-­‐scale production for commercial enterprises (domestic and export); (2) Biological pest and disease prevention; (3) Farm waste management; (4) Technical assistance on composting; (5) Design of tailored composting facilities; (6) Fungi and bacteria control; and (7) On-­‐farm waste management. PARTICIPANTS The basic 5 days full-­‐time training are provided to 20-­‐30 farmers’, practitioners and entrepreneurs that combines theory and hands-­‐on practical workshops to understand, make and manage the effective production of organic fertilizers. Broadly, the program includes: § Recognition of an exhausted and healthy soil; § Recognition of local raw materials that compensate soil deficits; § Understanding crop requirements for different crops and growth stadia; § Production of organic fertilizers with stone meal; materials, ingredients, process, quality, application and doses; § Construction of a central demonstration plot in a farmers’ area; and § Training skills to train other farmers in the next growing season. COSTS The training costs depend on the type of training and location of the project. Generally, this entails two separate weeks of intensive training materials, field visits, refreshments as well as accommodation. CONTACT Interested in Soil fertility solutions and would you want more information on the courses, and other opportunities related to water and soil conservation, such as Landscape services – 3R, contact MetaMeta at: E: [email protected] T: +31 (0) 317 843939 (numbers in The Netherlands) Or visit: www.metameta.nl/gla