An estimated 1.4 billion people live and work in the vast, diverse and risk-prone rain-fed areas in the south, where their farming operations cannot benefit much from mainstream agricultural technologies. Their systems are usually located in environments too marginal for intensive agriculture and remote from markets and institutions (Wolf, 1986). In order to benefit the poor more directly, a Natural Resource Management (NRM) approach must directly and simultaneously tackle the following objectives:
- Poverty alleviation
- Food security and self reliance
- Ecological management of productive resources
- Empowerment of rural communities
- Establishment of supportive policies
The following organic food production models have been developed by ACÁ to specifically address local issues in the central Jalisco area. These models allow small to mid-size farms to integrate the beneficial properties of poultry, forage feed systems, and vermiculture, providing safe feed, higher protein yields, and better insect control. These models are transferable and are incorporated into many of ACÁ's project sites.
Companion planting and Inter-cropping, a system to grow a diverse variety of plant materials in the same garden, which stimulates beneficial insects and organisms. Which integrates the natural properties of herbs and vegetables to maximize insect control.
Vermiculture, the raising of worms to aerate soil and provide worm castings for organic fertilizer. ACÁ is designing three appropriate systems for producing worm castings for various uses in backyard gardens, in schools, and on a larger scale for farmers.
Soil erosion control with ground covers, native tree species
- Organic cultivation, Composting, Mulching
- Water conservation with drip irrigation. We received funding to implement this model from the United Nations 1% Fund. Installed components include a multi-component water collection and waste processing tank system, drains (tubes and cover grates), canals, and a water pressure system requiring minimum maintenance and easy operation.
- IPPPM - Integrated Pest, Poultry, and Plant Management - ACÁ is introducing an important system that shows small to mid-size farms to incorporate the beneficial properties of integrating: Recycled grey water (for infield fertilizer), Small animal production (turkeys, ducks rabbits, worms), forage feed table systems, and Vermiculture (uses green waste, provides safe feed and higher protein yields, fertilizer supply and better insect control.)
