4.Farmers field school (agro ecosystem analysis (AESA) A Series of Lectures �By�Mr Allah Dad Khan Provincial Director IPM KPK MINFAL Pakistan

A Series of Lectures �By�Mr Allah Dad Khan Provincial Director IPM KPK MINFAL Pakistan

1. Farmer Field Schools (Agro ecosystem analysis (AESA)) A Series of Lectures By Mr. Allah Dad Khan Provincial Director IPM KPK MINFAL Pakistan

2. Agronomic Data Weekly Plant Height # of leaves/plant # of flowers/plants # of fruits/plants Weight of harvested fruits Plant Protection Data Weekly Counting insect pests Counting natural enemies Diseases incidence General Data Weekly Variety Days after planting Weather conditions Soil conditions Agro-ecosystem Analysis (AESA)

3. Agro ecosystem analysis (AESA) The health of a plant is determined by its environment. This environment includes abiotic factors (i.e. sun, rain, wind and soil nutrients) and biotic factors (i.e. pests, diseases and weeds). All these factors can play a role in the balance, which exists between herbivore insects and their natural enemies. If we understand the whole system of interactions, we can use this knowledge to reduce the negative impact of pests and diseases. Decision making in Integrated Pest Management requires a thorough analysis of the agro- ecosystem. Participants in IPM training will have to learn how to observe the crop, how to analyze the field situation and how to make the proper decisions for their crop management. This process is called the Agro-Eco-System Analysis (AESA).

4. Concepts of AESA In an IPM FFS, facilitators guide farmers in carrying out agro-ecosystem analysis . The process entails small groups of participants collecting data from field studies, discussing the findings, and arriving at a consensus for IPM crop management using the information as the basis for field management decisions. Agro Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) is done weekly following the stages of crop development as to provide in depth knowledge of the crop as well as all the factors that affect it and develop observation skills. Discussions on observations and “what if” scenarios within and between small groups as well as in a bigger group of field school participants encourage critical thinking skills. The process of working in groups fosters team building and is valuable for establishing farmers groups that will continue to work together beyond the field school. The goal of agro ecosystem analysis is to develop skills in crop ecology observations and assessment which will assist farmers to make intelligent and sound crop management decisions.

5. Agro-Ecosystem Training Crop Calendar L J Water Beneficials Cultural Practices Nutrients Pests Weather Soil Plant Ecosystem Analysis

6. TOF/FFS Crop Cycle Activity Chart L Land Preparation/ Group formation AESA Insect Zoo Special topic AESA Insect Zoo Group Dynamics AESA Insect Zoo Group Dynamics S Topic AESA Insect Zoo Group Dynamics Data Analysis

7. 1.OBSERVATION Steps in Agro-Eco System Analysis 2.RECORDING 3.DISCUSSIONS IN SMALLGROUPS 4. DRAWING

8. The methodology of AESA A. Field Observations: Go into field in groups. a) Enter the field at least 5 ft. away from the bund. Select a site with a dimension of 1 sq. mt . randomlyin crops ( 10 plants in veg ) b) Record visual observations in following sequence:- Flying insects (both pests & defenders) Close observation on pests and defenders which remain on the plants. Observe pests like  borers and defenders like Lady Bird beetle/ rove beetle/  earwigs by scrapping the soil surface around the plants. Record disease and its intensity. Record insect damage in percentage Rates and damage by them Weeds and their intensity Water and its situation in field Weather condition sunny /cloudy

9. The methodology of AESA c) Record parameters like number of leaves, branches, plant height and reproductive parts of the selected plants which should be flagged for making observation in the following weeks. d) While walking in field , manually collect insects in plastic bag . e) Record soil conditions viz. flooded, wet or dry. f) Observe rodent live burrows. G)Collect plant parts with disease symptoms.

10. B. Drawing: First draw the plant with actual number of branches/ leaves etc. at the centre on a chart. Then draw pests on left side and defender on the right side. Indicate the soil condition, weed population, rodent damage etc. Give natural colours to all the drawing, for instance, draw healthy plant with green colour diseased plant/ leaves with yellow colour . While drawing the pests and the defenders on the chart care should be taken to draw them at appropriate part of the plant, where they are seen at the time of observation. The common name of pest and defenders and their population count should also be given along with diagram. The weather factor should be reflected in the chart by drawing the diagram of sun just above the plant if the attribute is sunny. If cloudy, the clouds may be drawn in place of sun. In the case of partially sunny, the diagram of sun may be half masked with clouds.

11. C. Group Discussion and Decision making: Each group will discuss the situation and make a recommendation. A member of each group will now present their analysis in front of all participants. Make sure that a different person will present each week. The facilitator will facilitate a discussion by asking guiding questions. The facilitator also makes sure that all participants (also shy persons or illiterate persons) become actively involved in this process. Formulate a common conclusion. The whole group should support the decision on what field management is required. Make sure that the required activities (based on the decision) will be carried out. Keep the drawing for comparison in the following weeks.

12. Some questions that can be used during the discussion Summarize the present situation of the field? What aspect is most important at this moment? Is there a big change with last week? What kind of change? Is there any serious pest or disease outbreak? What is the situation of the beneficial insects? Is there a balance in the field between pests and defenders? Where you able to identify all pests and diseases? Do you think the crop is healthy? What management practices are needed at this moment? When will it be done? Who will do it? Make sure that responsibilities for all activities are being discussed. Are you expecting any problems to emerge during the coming week? What problems? How can we avoid it? How can we be prepared? Summarize the actions to be taken

13. D. Presentation 1.Presentations made by member of  each small group.  2.Participants ask questions of presenter.  3.Facilitator asks questions  appropriate to analysis  4.Groups discuss field conditions & Agro-eco-system relationships.  5."What if" scenarios discussed.  6.Previous weeks Agro-eco-system  drawings used for comparisons.  7.Field management decisions  critically examined by group.  8.Other factors in addition to  economic thresholds are analyzed  (e.g. plant stage, natural enemies)  9.Facilitator uses leading questions to help participants analyze what was learned during activity.

14. AESA instead of ETL IPM is not a static concept but has been evolving over the past years and it is still changing as new experiences are used to fine-tune the concept.The Economic Threshold Level (ETL) used to be part of IPM many years ago, but in modern IPM it has been replaced by Agro-Ecological System Analysis (AESA) where farmers take decisions based on a larger range of observations. Unfortunately, even today, there are still many “specialists” who still recommend ETLs to farmers, presenting this as an IPM method. But there are many reasons for not using an ETL. One of the problems of the ETL is that it is based on parameters that are changing all the time, and that are often not known. An ETL is calculated from: the management cost the price of the farm produce expected damage or yield losses

15. AESA instead of ETL contd Management cost could be estimated, but when the crop is still in the field, it is usually not possible to know what the price per kilo will be at harvest time. The damage or losses caused by a certain density of insects can not be predicted at all.. It depends on many other factors, such as crop variety, weather conditions, availability of water and nutrients, plant stage, etc. It also depends on the availability and performance of natural enemies. There is a big difference between “a bean plant with 20 aphids” and “a bean plant with 20 aphids and 1 hover fly larva”. This is why ETLs that are “recommended” in all kinds of manuals for farmers can never be applied in a farmer’s field. Farmers cannot base their decisions on just a simple count of pests. They will have to consider many other aspects of the crop (crop ecology, growth stage, natural enemies, weather condition, etc.) and their own economic and social situation before they can make the right crop management decisions. Another important consideration is that good crop management does not only depend on controlling pests, but even more on the prevention of pests. Over a period of time, IPM specialist have realized the limitations of ETLs and gradually developed the Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) as a much more flexible tool to make crop management decisions.

16. ETL Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) cost of control harvest value of crop (estimation) loss of income due to pests (estimation) Growth stage of the crop weather conditions crop development factors (incl. compensation ability) type and number of insect pests type and amount of diseases type and number of natural enemies type and amount of natural disease control agents (if applicable) type and amount of weeds water availability (irrigation, drainage) soil fertility status fertilizer applications activities in the field since last week other observations