Ager-Tech

Best Producing Winter Vegetable Garden Includes: how to have the best producing winter vegetable garden, extend the season, and reap the benefits.

Climate Change Adaptation in Lesotho Woodlots. Suitable species include silver wattle (Acacia dealbata), green wattle (Acacia decurrens), Robinia pseudoacacia, Gleditsia triacanthos, Ulmus parvifolia, Eucalyptus stellulata, E. nitens, E. rubida and other eucalypts. Densely planted hybrid poplars and willows could also be planted in wet…

Tomato production

Gardenate - Growing Tomato The best times to plant and grow Tomato in South Africa - Humid sub-tropical regions

TURKEY FARMING
Turkey farming in Africa can be a profitable venture for
an African farmer. Turkey farming is done for both
eggs and meat and the nutrient level of both is very
high in turkey eggs and meat. The meat is rich in
protein, minerals and vitamins.
Commercial turkey farming is a profitable business
idea. Turkey grows faster like broiler chickens and
become suitable for slaughter purpose within a very
short time. Turkey farming for meat production is very
popular than egg production from turkey. Although
some people keep a or several tom (a mature male
turkey) as a pet. Turkey farming is similar to other
poultry birds farming like chickens, ducks, quails etc.
Turkeys are also very social with humans and raising
turkeys is really very fun and enjoyable
Turkey farming in Africa is better when they are bred
using the intensive method of raring as opposed to the
free range system. The advantage of using the
intensive method where the turkeys are reared in an
enclosed space is easy production monitoring and also
reduction in disease occurrences. The main
disadvantage of this method is that the turkeys will
have to be given adequate food since they do not have
a chance to forage for food. A fenced open space
would create good room for intensive rising of turkey
but the enclosure should be away from a lot of
disturbance since turkeys are known to be very tense
birds and slight variations in the environment can cause
them stress..
BREEDS
There are several turkey breeds available around the
globe. But all those breeds are not suitable enough for
commercial meat production. You can raise only a few
of those breeds in your farm for profitable meat
production. For profitable meat production you have to
use some modern turkey breeds that are raised for
commercial production. This type of turkey breeds has
a maximum feed to meat conversion rate. They
consume less feed and convert this feed to meat within
a very short time. Broad-breasted White is such a
modern turkey breed for commercial production. The
meat produced by raising this breed on pasture on a
small farm, it will be more tasty and favorful than the
meat produced from commercial farm. White Holland
and Standard Bronze are other two popular meat
producing turkey breed. This two breeds are not actual
breed. Broad-Breasted Bronze and Whites are just non-
standardized commercial strain used for meat
production (they are not actual breed). Along with this
there are some other breeds available that are
beautiful and different looking birds. Bourbon Reds,
Narragansetts, Royal Palm etc. are such turkey breed.
For commercial meat production, you should go with
Broad-Breasted Whites, Standard Bronze and White,
White Hollands etc.
HOUSING AND FENCING
Good housing with all types of essential facilities
available is very necessary for commercial turkey
production. In this regard, you have to make a
permanent house like chicken house and ensure
availability of all necessary facilities. For fencing, make
the fence as high as possible. Turkeys are large in size
and become very strong. So, the fencing must have to
strong enough to protect the birds. You can use
electric poultry netting, woven wire fencing, metal T-
posts or wooden posts. However, while making housing
and fencing for turkeys, keep in mind the followings.
1. You must have to make proper protection from all
types of predators and harmful animals.
2. Ensure availability of sufficient space inside the
house. Generally, 75 feet * 75 feet space is suitable for
accommodating for up to 12 birds.
3. Never let the turkeys to graze in the pasture until
they reach grazing age.
4. Using wooden litter is very effective for turkey
farming.
5. Make sure sufficient flow of fresh air and light inside
the house.
6. Make proper ventilation system.
7. Make the house suitable enough for cleaning it
regularly.
8. In case of fencing, make it as high as possible. The
fencing must have to be at least four feet above the
ground.
9. The turkeys far very strong and big than other birds.
So, make the fencing with strong materials.
FEEDING AND WATERING
Good and nutritious feed keeps the bird healthy and
productive. So, it would be better to learn how to feed
the turkey birds and this will help you to prevent
problems in turkey farming and reducing feeding costs.
Turkey needs more protein in their food for first few
weeks than other domestic birds. The protein in poultry
feed should be at least 28 percent. You can go with
chick starter which contain about 28 percent of
protein. Feed the turkey, chick starter for first six
weeks and after that period you can feed them grower
feed. Grower feed should contain 20 percent protein.
The amount of protein in turkey feed is higher than
chickens or other poultry birds feed. Along with
providing nutritious food, always serve them sufficient
amount of fresh and clean water. Generally, 2 gallons
of fresh water is necessary for one dozen of turkeys.
CARE AND MANAGEMENT
Always try to keep your birds in healthy environment
and learn more about turkey farming and how to
prevent health problems. Never feed your birds
contaminated or outdated food. Always provide them
clean and fresh water. Keep sufficient space inside the
house. And lastly, take good care of your birds.
MARKETING
In commercial turkey farming, the birds become
suitable for marketing within 12 to 20 weeks. Sell all
the birds when they reach the slaughtering age.
Turkey farming business is really very lucrative and
enjoyable. If you are thinking about setting up
commercial turkey farming business, then try to learn
more about them and visit many turkey farms.
http://www.roysfarm.com/turkey-farming/

Agrotourism can creat markert for agricultural products, and also make agriculture a smarter option for youths.

tourism industry can provide an important export market for a host of agricultural products where hotels and restaurants demand diverse agricultural inputs, and tourists demand agri tourism experiences and destination-branded specialty crops to bring home as souvenirs. Agritourism is often a feasible strategy for local economic development and to promote traditional sustainable agriculture practices. The development of agritourism tours and demonstrations as attractions in rural areas provides the potential for creating or expanding micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise core and supply chain businesses, including transport, food service and products, and handicrafts.

Agriculture and Tourism Programs can help kto forge initial partnerships between the tourism and agriculture sectors, while catalyzing the development of agritourism services and specialty products that can be sold at premium prices. The Agriculture and Tourism program results in increased revenues and profitability for small scale farmers by helping them diversify from low value commodities to high-value specialty products and services. Solimar does this through developing partnerships that link tourism demand with agriculture supply; creating and disseminating pilot branding, marketing and packaging for high-potential specialty products; and demonstrating potential agritourism activities.

The majority of the severest food crises after the second half of the 20th century were caused by a combination of several factors. The most common causes of food insecurity in African and other Third World countries were:

Drought and other extreme weather events. The comparison of the severest food crises in the later history reveals that all were preceded by drought or other extreme weather events. They resulted in poor or failed harvests which in turn resulted food scarcity and high prices of the available food.

Pests, livestock diseases and other agricultural problems. In addition to extreme weather events, many failed harvests in African and other Third World countries were also caused by pests such as desert locusts. Cattle diseases and other agricultural problems such as erosion, soil infertility, etc. also play a role in food insecurity.

Climate change. Some experts suggest, that drought and extreme weather in regions affected by food crises in the recent decades could be a result of climate change, especially in the West and East Africa which have problems with recurrent extreme droughts.

Military conflicts. Wars and military conflicts worsen food insecurity in African and other Third World countries. They may not be directly responsible for food crises but they exacerbate scarcity of food and often prevent the aid workers from reaching the most affected people.

Lack of emergency plans. History of the severest food crises shows that many countries were completely unprepared for a crisis and unable to resolve the situation without international aid.

Corruption and political instability. In spite of criticism lately, the international community has always send help in the form of food supplies and other means which saved millions of lives in the affected regions. However, the international aid often did not reach the most vulnerable populations due to a high level of corruption and political instability in many Third World countries.

Cash crops dependence. Many African and Third World governments encourage production of the so-called cash crops, the income from which is used to import food. As a result, countries which depend on cash crops are at high risk of food crisis because they do not produce enough food to feed the population.

AIDS. The disease which is a serious public health concern in the sub-Saharan Africa worsens food insecurity in two ways. Firstly, it reduces the available workforce in agriculture and secondly, it puts an additional burden on poor households.

Rapid population growth. Poor African and Third World countries have the highest growth rate in the world which puts them at increased risk of food crises. For example, the population of Niger increased from 2.5 million to 15 million from 1950 to 2010. According to some estimations, Africa will produce enough food for only about a quarter population by 2025 if the current growth rate will continue.