Curricula Development Workshop on vegetable production in Tunnels.

INTRODUCTION:

CABI South Asia Regional Centre Pakistan has been working for the capacity building of farming community in six districts of Punjab through TOF and FFS approach in collaboration with 6 districts in Rawalpindi, Rahem Yar Khan, Toba Teak Singh, Sargodha, Mulatn and Lahore under the umbrella of Fruit and Vegetable Development Project, Punjab. The main Objective of the project is to alleviate poverty by enhancing farmer’s net income through diversification to high value fruit and vegetable crops in the province. This will be achieved through human resource development and capacity building of all the stake holders of public sector as well as private sector with the main aim to sensitize them to export oriented production and marketing development strategy in a systematic manner by including all the stakeholders. Regarding maximizing crop production the objectives are to organize farming community under farmer field schools (FFS) system to educate them in mango, citrus and other fruit and vegetables production technology, minimizing pesticide use, awareness creation regarding international sanitary and phyto sanitary measures in export and marketing, establishing network between FFS and service providers, conversion of FFS into self sustaining Farmers Associations and popularization of off-season vegetable production through low cost tunnels.

In this connection, a three days workshop on “Curricula Development Workshop on Vegetables Production in Tunnels” from June 8th -10th 2006, has been organized and conducted by CABI South Asia Regional Centre Pakistan at Hotel Adventure Inn Islamabad. The objective of the workshop was to develop curricula of vegetable production in tunnels. The overall purpose was to understand the vegetable production issues/constrains of tunnel technology and to find out their solutions for getting better production of vegetables and market them prior to the seasonal vegetable for getting maximum monitory benefits. The participants were drawn from different educational, research, public, private, NGOs, extension institutions and fresh vegetable exporters etc all over the province Punjab. A sum of 55 participants participated in this workshop. Inauguration of the workshop was done by chief guest Ch Abdul Ghafor, Director General Agriculture Extension department and adoptive research department Lahore, followed by the address of Dr. Rana Muhammad Shafiq on delivering project and workshop objectives and history to the participants. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Poswal than finally formally well come the participants of the workshop and formal technical session has been started.

This workshop have following technical sessions: Introduction and Norm setting, Tunnel Farming, Issues and solutions identification of tunnel farming, Broad spectrum issues identification of vegetable production in Pakistan and a technical lecture delivered on tunnels structuring and cost-benefit ratio of the technology. All the participants were divided into Five groups/bus, work done in groups through probing , discussion and data was presented on charts. The groups were as following.

Bus # 01 Soil and SeedBus # 02 Tillage and Crop standBus # 03 Water and Nutrient ManagementBus # 04 Integrated Pest Management Bus # 05 Harvesting, Post Harvesting and Marketing.

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Introduction and Norm SettingFacilitator: Mrs. Bushra Raza Ahmed

In the beginning the participants were briefed by the facilitator about introduction, its purpose, methodology and content coverage. Therefore each participant was asked to introduce his/her self. The introduction included name, department/ institution, academic qualification and professional experience. The objective of the exercise was to encourage the participants:

To come out of their shells. To share experiences and assess expertise available within group. To improve intimacy and promote spirit of consultative process.

Through this exercise it was found that the participants were having a rich academic and professional background. A summary is given below:

In total there were participants. These participants were from the field of Plant pathology, Entomology, Plant breeding and Genetics, Agronomy, Horticulture, Rural sociology, Agriculture Extension etc and their academic degrees ranged from Master’s to Ph.D.

Their work experience ranged from 5 to 30 years in public, private and NGO sectors. 02 participants were tunnel farmer, while one was exporter of fresh vegetables.

After introduction training norms were set among and mutual participation of the participants. The main features of the exercise were as following:

Time should be managed during session. Respect each participants opinion. Working environment should be friendly. Raise hand before answering. Discussion should be to the point. Avoid conflict. Mobiles should be on silent mode during session. Avoid wondering during session. Use Urdu as main medium of language.

Tunnel Farming

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Facilitator: Ghulam AliCo-Facilitators: Mrs. Bushra Raza and Mr. Qamar Zia

During this session the participants of the hall were asked few questions. These were Why tunnel farming? What are the issues of tunnel farming?. Flip cards were distributed among the participants and responses were than shared. Following are the responses against each question.

WHY TUNNEL FARMING? To increase production of off-season vegetables and to enhance farmers income. To keep the vegetable prices stable As agriculture land holding is becoming less with the passage of time so through tunnel

farming farmers can produce more in less space and earn more money. To get more benefit by early availability of seasonal vegetables in market. To get vegetables in off-season Through tunnel farming, farmer can get healthy and good quality vegetables. To get quality seed production through tunnel farming. To get quality production for export purpose under WTO scenario. To produce off-season vegetables for getting better price and its availability to consumer. Tunnel farming should be adopted as new technology in Pakistan. Better use of inputs in tunnel farming. To improve the livelihood of farmers. To have sustainable vegetable production to meet the future needs.Issues in tunnel farming? Lack of technical know how about tunnel farming. Lack of specification according to area (cold areas). Lack of specification of tunnel installation with respect to wind direction. Lack of awareness about tunnel farming importance in farmer. Farmers are loosing their interest in tunnel farming because they adopted it without

technical consultation that results into their loss. Lack of knowledge about disease in tunnel. Lack of skill in tunnel farming. Insect pest management in tunnel farming. Lack of information in tunnel technology. Tunnel technology is expensive and demands high skill. Availability of hybrid seed in tunnel farming. Vegetable production only for one season. Marginalized farmers can not afford it. Lack of knowledge , finance, required inputs. Unavailability of technology and finances. Lack of knowledge about cost/benefit ratio of tunnel farming.

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Presentations by groups on suggested solutions of identified issues in Tunnel Farming.Facilitator: Ghulam Ali

Co. Facilitators: Mr. Qamar, Mr. Shakeel, Mr. Ghohar Ayub, Mr. Fazal Hamid, Mrs Bushra Raza Ahmed, Ms. Sarah Amir

The last session on day one was identification of issues of vegetable production in tunnels. Day second was started with the recitation of Holy Quran. Dr. Rashid from Vegetables Research Institute AARI recap the day one activities. Later on the facilitator assigned the previously formed groups to work on and also to present the causes and possible solutions of identified issues of vegetable production in tunnel farming. The groups findings are as following:

Bus # 1 Seed and Soil Health

S.No ISSUES/CAUSES SOLUTIONSA soil1

2

3

4

5

Type of soil Poor soil structure and texture (sandy &

clayey)

Low Organic matter Lack of awareness regarding importance

of organic matter Lack of availability High crop intensity

fertility status Low fertility

a. Imbalance fertilizationb. Low fertilization

No organic fertilization

Hard pan Improper ploughing Improper soil moisture Lack of organic matter

Water holding capacity Low organic matter Poor soil structure and texture

Adding organic matter Addition of Gypsum in

clayey soil Green manuring before

75 days of planting in tunnel

Ideal organic matter is 2% or more

Compost Crop rotation Use of leguminous

crops in rotation

Soil testing Balanced fertilizer use Fertilization should be

according to the demands of crop

Ploughing with proper plough

Addition of proper organic matter and moisture

Addition of organic matter

Addition of gypsum in clayey soil

Every seed corporation

4

6

7

Improper Nutrient application Plant requirement Balanced nutrition Proper time Lack of tissue and soil test facility

Soil health Sodicity Salinity Inoculum of any disease

should provide all information to farmers

Education and training Analysis facilities

should be extended

Select normal soil Use amendments like

gypsum and/ Sulphuric Acid

Use of proper fungicides

B Seed1 Crop specification with tunnel type?

HighLack of hybrid seed availabilityCross pollination issue

Walk in tunnel

LowNot recommended for early growing of vegetables.Management problem for weeding, pesticides applicationHigh insect pest and diseases due to low air circulation.Tomato if early sowing than viral attack and if late planting than market price will be low.At low temperature in tomato (14 C ) no fruit setting (flowering)

Cucumber Tomato (indeterminate

hybrid) Kaddu Bitter gourd

Bell pepper Hot chilies Tomato (determinate

hybrid) Cucumber Kaddu and bitter gourd

(can be late sowing with high support structure)

Trainings on production technology

Tunnel pipe should be of 1.5 inch diameter

Sowing time adjustment

Bitter gourd, bottle gourd, cucumber, melon and water melon, pumpkin, hard gourd.

Seed treatment. Soil treatment. Mulching. Growing nursery in

cold areas.(15 September sowing and transplanting on 15 October)

Growing nursery by covered tactics misters and net + mencozeb +

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Metalaxly. Heating by bulbs Electric air blowers for

soil temperature Install pipes and

connect hot water.

2 Varieties: Market demand. Yield potential Paarthenocarpy Hybrid Resistance.

Fellow farmers. Research

institution and extension workers.

General awareness

Hybrid screening programmes

Acclimatization

Authentic seed source.

Cucumber F1 hybrid Beith alphy Parthenocarpic Gynosious

hybrids(low

tunnels) Local Disease

resistance.3 Seed availability: Near by market.

Farmers associations Information of seed

providers (research + university+

extension) Catalogue of seeds.

4 Seed quality:Seed health

Certification.

Healthy crop stand. Treated seed. Healthy and clean. High germination

percentage. Vigorous to

temperature. Registered.

5 Supply position:Consistency.Near by/ easy access.Quantity requirement.Timely availability

Reliable and renowned source./ company agents.

Wide spread dealership.

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Advance booking. Financially strong

dealers.

6 Production technology package:Seed price. Must be provided by

the seed supplier. Registered company

may bound to supply information through agriculture graduates.

Farmers associations collectively purchased through main dealers and companies.

Bus # 02 Tillage and Crop stand

S.No ISSUES/CAUSES SOLUTIONSA Tillage1

2

3

4

Hard Pan:Ploughing through tractor in “watter” condition.Puddling for rice.Increased cropping intensity.Lack of organic mater.

Lack of organic mater:Increased cropping intensity.Improper crop rotation.High temperatureImproper use of herbicides.Lack of skill in compost formation.

Lack of specific implements:High cost/ farmers affordability.

Unleveled field:Mould bold ploughBed Shaper etc.

Cross chiseling after 3 years.

Increase organic mater.

Technical know how for green manuring and proper crop rotation.

Temperature is natural factor and out of human control

Safe and effective use of herbicides.

Skill enhancement in compost formation.

Corporate farming. Provide subsidy Provide Interest free

loan.

Laser land leveling. Blade and Karah

B Crop Stand1 Time of sowing Skill enhancement

Attractive labor wages.

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2

3

4

5

6

7

Seed rate:Lack of awareness in production technology (PxP and RxR)

Poor Quality Seed:WeekDiseased seedDamaged Impure

Nursery raising and transplanting:Time of sowingNursery bed preparationTransplanting

Improper seed Placement:Unleveled bedLabor negligence during dibbling.

Poor Germination:Climatic conditions(rain fall, temperature.)

Seed healthImproper moisture condition.Diseases and insects (termites)Rodents.

Mortality of newly germinated baby plants.

Technical know how about each crop and variety.

Skill enhancement in self seed production.

Hybrid seed companies should be forced to launched hybrid seed production in Pakistan.

Proper time of transplanting

Seed treatment with fungicides

Transplantation at evening.

Leveled bed preparation.

Skill enhancement of manual dibblers.

Attractive labor charges.

Proper supervision. First irrigate than

dibbling.

Seed dibbling after proper covering in tunnels to avoid rain affects.

Technical know how regarding adverse affect of temperature.

Seed treatments. Seed grading. Sinker/ floater

technology. Land and bed

leveling. Skill enhancement to

check proper soil moisture.

Use of well rotten FYM.

Use of Zinc Phosphate bait.

Use of disease free seed.

Seed treatment.

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Diseased seedNewly emerged plant have diseases incidence (damping off).Cut worm, termites.Cold and hot waves.Birds.

Tunnel Direction:Not proper tunnel direction.

Gap filling by nursery in polyether bags.

Weed control. Proper crop rotation. Drenching of proper

pesticides. Wind brakes Drum beating. False eraction.

Proper tunnel direction- North-South

Bus # 03 Water and Nutrient Management

S.No ISSUES/CAUSES SOLUTIONSA Water1

2

Under IrrigationWater scarcityLand gradient(for water flow).Soil type(less water holding capacity)High temperature.(increase in evapotranspiration)Lack of knowledgeLow Humidity

Over Irrigation: Lack of knowledge/monitoring High humidity.

Adoption of efficient irrigation system (drip/trickle irrigation, Lining of water courses)

Mulching(reduce evaporation losses)

Alternate furrow mulching.

Laser leveling of tunnel site.

Addition of stable organic compost.

Use of soil tensiometer.

Farmers training in irrigation scheduling.

Strong canopy check ventilation.

Draining

Increase ventilation.

Skip/ delay irrigation.

Apply phosphorus to check vegetative growth

Install hygroscopic

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meter.

B Nutrients1

2

3

4

Lack of knowledge (soil and water status)

Under Nutrition:Inadequate use of fertilizers/water

Non availability of nutrients to plants:Soil structureLow organic mater.Soil pHLow Cation exchange capacity.Unbalanced use of fertilizers

Over use of fertilizers:Lack of knowledge Unawareness about soil status

Testing of soil and water.

Use of recommended fertilizers dose, foliar spray, liquid fertilizers.

Awareness about time and method of application.

Apply adequate water.

Water treatment with Gypsum.

Soil testing

Application at different plant stages

Heavy and frequent irrigation.

Use of phosphorus to check nitrogen uptake.

Bus # 04 Integrated Pest Management

S.No ISSUES/CAUSES SOLUTIONSA PRE PLANTING1 Soil Health:

Inoculum: a. Crop residuesb. Improper crop rotation.

(nematodes, termites)c. No tillage after harvest.

(termites, Lepidoptera hibernate)

Fumigation for disinfection

fallow land Irrigation and

mulching. Green manuring after

mulching to increases micro-organisms.

Pheromones for termites. (if available.)

Trap Plants.

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2

3

Sanitation:a. Insect and Diseases: b. Farm yard Manure:Infested plant material, FYM and clothing of workers are contaminated with pathogens of diseases and egg masses of insect.

Seed:a. Seed health

b. PurityDisease infected and infested Contaminated seedUnhealthy seed source due to poor quarantine policies

b. Nursery

Attractants/sticks(Eucalyptus sticks)

Repellents like Calotropis.

Border proofing for termites with chemicals i.e. Bifenthin or Fipromil.

Tillage- open plastic sheet.

Buffer zone in tunnel. Disinfection before

entry in tunnels. Well rotten FYM for

controlling termite and its should be fumigate before use.

Hot water treatment of equipments for disinfection.

cutting of plant material it is useful that flame the knife on hot flame or dip in chlorox.

Healthy seed source

Seed dressing with fungicide.

Seed grading.

In case of storage seed fumigation should be done.

Resistant varieties.

Identification of countries for healthy seed source.

Awareness creation among farmers regarding healthy seed production and usage (pamphlet etc)

Fumigation of seed

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4.

5.

1. Infested seed2. soil borne diseases

Insect/MitesMigration from outsideMigration from alternate hostSoil contaminated with eggs and pupae of

insectsThrough workersThrough irrigationSuitable environmental conditions for insects (Aphids, Whitefly, Thrips). High humidity with increased temperature boost the population of these insects.Contaminated nursery

WeedsImpurity of seedalready a nursery bedthrough equipmentsthrough labor/workers

bed and taking care of sanitation.

Use of chemicals as soil drench (Eliate, Radomil, Acrobate, Metalaxye)

Raised seed bed Biological control

through introducing Trichoderma species.

Removing leaves and other parts of plant/sanitation

Manual collection of insects.

Localized chemical spray.

Nursery should be separated from main tunnel.

Micronet used for nursery raising and one person should handle all the activities.

Unhealthy plant material should be removed through rogging.

Introduction of predatory mites for controlling mites.

Seed treatment for insects

Manual eradication

B Post-Planting/Main Crop1. Insects/Diseases/weeds

Soil borne inoculum (late blight and Wilts)Plant residues (early blights)Air-borne ContaminationThrough irrigation waterWeeds

Seed dressing. Root dip of seedling

before transplantation.

Foliar spray after monitoring through proactive approach

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Wide host range (Nematodes and viruses)Insects

(study insect/predator relationship)

tunnel should be double doors at entrance point to avoid contamination.

Use micronet under plastic.

Manual removal and mulching of seeds.

Biological control of insects through entomopathogenic nematodes, predators, bales for cut worm control.

Chemical control as last resort

C Lack of AwarenessLow education levelWeak linkages between researchers and farmersLimited skilled manpowerLimited availability of extension workersWeak role of mediaLack of specialized trainingsCommunication gap and improper mode of communication between farmers and extension workers.

Training of Trainers/ FFS.

Training in pest scouting.

Awareness through print and electronic media.

Training of farmers and extension workers through workshops.

Increase number of extension workers

D Harvest and Post Harvest issues

Root rot (bacteria, rhizopus , mucor or molds)Improper harvestingTime of harvestingPackagingTransportationMechanical and insect injuriesLack of sanitation during harvesting

Educating farmers in proper harvesting and packaging technology.

Proper harvesting at proper time.

Proper transportation. Avoid injury during

transportation. Grading and removal

of injured fruit/vegetable

Bus # 05 Harvesting, Post Harvesting and Marketing.

S.No ISSUES/CAUSES SOLUTIONSA Harvest1 Lack of awareness: Development of

pictorial training

13

2

3

Harvesting aids

Proper placement

manual with audio/video aids regarding maturity, picking, handling of vegetables.

Training, seminar, workshop

Demonstration of harvesting aids

Distribution of harvesting aids on subsidized rates/free

Save crop from high temperature, animal and other hazardous factors.

B Post-Harvest1. lack of awareness

2. grading/quality standards

3. Packaging

The importance of pre cooling, temperature requirement, preservation, packing, processing and transportation be conveyed to farmers through pamphlets, print material.

Training of extension workers and farmers

Literature development and dissemination to farmers/exporters/traders

Awareness and supply of packing material

Packaging should be according to the needs of market/domestic/exporters

C Marketing1. market information (domestic/export) Linkages of

the project with AMIS

Establishment of tunnel growers associations

Developing linkages of

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2. lack of linkages

tunnel farmers with the market for current information

Demand based grading and packaging

Developing linkages among growers, exporters and processors

Growers association may help each other

Input provider and service provider

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ISSUES/RECOMMENDATION OF THE WORKSHOP

POLICY ISSUES:

1. PIA cargo charges for export of fresh vegetables are on high side. It is all most beyond the capacity of vegetable exporters.

2. Lack of plant tissue analysis laboratories for checking/detection of plant chemical residues in WTO scenario.

3. High cost of pesticides residues detection test by PCSIR, Karachi and proper arrangements for certification.

4. Lack of cold storage facilities for vegetables.

5. Limited facilities for plant and soil testing.

6. Lack of technical know how of tunnel vegetable production technology among fresh agriculture graduates.

7. Absence of Fruit and vegetable management group like CCMG in cotton.

8. high taxes and material cost while lack of subsidies and relaxation in taxes results into non affordability of tunnel by farming community.

Research:

For controlling the insect pest and disease issues in tunnels, buffer zone should be introduced in tunnels. It can be created by making extra entrance or introducing green house concept or ventilation holes should covered with mesh cloth and than plastic sheet on it.

Use of dress in tunnels. Water availability to plants should be standardized (irrigation standardization) Virus resistant varieties should be explored. Development of criteria for the selection of tunnel site/soil, water supply and wind

direction need attention in Pakistan’s climate. Role of natural enemies in tunnel need research. Alternatives of pesticide use in FFS need research. Vegetable metabolic toxic information (researchable issue). Role of gases in tunnel need research. Use of hormone to increase shelf life and flowering.

Extension:

Vegetables grower association should be registered with Extension department. Training should be imparted to farmers for taking good seed initiatives and

availability of hybrid seed issue should be taken through association. Workforce of technical experts should be from vegetable background in extension

department. Farmers should be informed about the cost benefit ratio in construction of the tunnel. Test the hybrid seed and then disseminate to farmers through trainings, workshops,

field days etc. Print material should also be arranged for awareness raising

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In clayey soil, plant available water is very low. Availability of tension-meter should be assured in Extension departments. Farmers as well as extension workers should be trained in it.

Marketing:

Set up should be developed for marketing intelligence and farmers should be trained/ well aware about market trends.

Tunnel should be recommended at a near point to market. High demand of chilies and coriander in Europe due to its taste (karwi). So farmers

should trained in tunnel technology and increase the production of chilies and coriander for getting high foreign exchange.

Government should develop quality produce parameters and farmers as well as extension workers should trained in them.

Observing the market trend training should be imparted to farmers and extension workers for valuable addition in vegetables production and marketing.

Proper packing material should be available in market. Training should be imparted to farmers and extension workers in this aspect.

Focus should also be given to the production of garlic, ginger, cucumber, beans and leafy vegetables due to their high demand in international market.

Technology/General:

Seed availability and hybrid seed production is an issue that need attention. A complete technology package of vegetable production in Tunnel is requirement of

the day. That include quality seed/ variety availability, balanced fertilization Micronutrient roles, proper irrigation, Soil type, role of compost/organic matter in tunnel, Tunnels structure, direction etc.

Recycled plastic should only use for mulching but never use it for covering the tunnel.

Bird issue with plastic need attention. Availability of quality plastic and it’s cost is also an issue and need resolution.

(LLD(Linear low density production)/ LDP (Low density polythene) Temperature fluctuation in different areas create great issue. This should be addressed

in one way or the other. It is suggested to have same tunnel for nursery Vegetable nutritional and use information in packing material should be added. If we use double seed rate then the production will be enhanced. It is also suggested that farmers should avoid those sites where there is waste water

storage b/c it can create toxic heavy metals which are harmful for plants growth.

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