Conventional production

The majority of farmers in Maputo adhere to the conventional techniques described in the table below. The chart is organised in the eight production steps of the urbanGAPs (see Chapter 5.1.1). The focus here is on farmers organised in associations.

Table 4: Overview of production cycle status quo in Maputo

Farm vision and site selection

All plots within associations have a similar structure. The sole distinguishing factor is the size of the farm land avail- able and thus the number of canteiros involved. The aim of most farmers is to produce with a quick turnover and sell complete beds. Alternative farm layouts are hard to find. One demonstration plot (Associacao Eduardo

Mondlane) promoted intercropping. Some farmers use the edges of the beds to plant chillies or herbs for self-

consumption.

Production and crop planning

49% of the interviewed farmers plant according to season and 45% always plant the same crops (17_B_MP, n=367). As cash crops, lettuce and cabbage determine the planning. To avoid financial losses, farmers clean the soil straight after the harvest and begin planting for the next cycle.

Crop rotation is practised by 81% of growers but not systematically (n=366). In other words, soil fertility is not strengthened (e.g., with legumes), nor do light feeders follow heavy feeders. Further, green manure is also not considered in the crop rotation. Lettuce basically follows cabbage and cabbage follows lettuce. In the hot summer months, farmers primarily plant lettuce. Farmers tend not to keep records, with only 9% stating that their produc- tion planning is recorded (17_B_MP, n=368).

Seeds and seedlings – Nursery and transplanting

According to an IIAM study, seeds represent the largest input cost for farmers in the green zones (Cachomba et al., 2016). That said, very few producers with spare land produce their own seeds for lettuce or cabbage. Seeds are usually covered for germination with straw or palm leaves for 15 to 20 days, after which the seedlings are trans- planted to the beds. In many cases, the ideal time for transplantation is exceeded. During the warm season in par- ticular, many pricked out seedlings die. The risk of failure is even higher after heavy rain or hail, e.g., in the transi- tion period between the cold and warm seasons, as well as during the rainy season. The use of nets to protect seed- lings has been observed in a few cases but is too costly for most farmers and not promoted by the local extension service. Farmers state that the seed quality in terms of germination is poor. Further, traditional seeds are hard to come by and only a small number of farmers continue to plant local varieties. 57% of farmers buy seeds from in- formal vendors, 38% state local stores as their source, 33% obtain the seeds from the casa agrárias, 2% from NGOs, 16% produce their own seeds, and 10% buy seeds from other farmers (17_B_MP, n=369).

Land and soil preparation

After each production cycle, farmers lay out new beds (canteiros), shape the soil, equilibrate the level and work in manure. This technique prevents both the natural build-up of organic matter and the establishment of soil rich in nutrients, micro-organisms and bacteria. Mulching is a rare occurrence despite the availability of mulching material around the associations (i.e., reed, grass, leaves and sheets).

use chemical inputs subsidised by the government.

85% of farmers think their soils are fertile for production. Manure is used by 97% in the course of preparing the soil (17_B_MP, n=369).

Soil management and soil fertility

Farmers do not use machinery: Tilling, planting, weeding and harvesting are all done by hand with the support of simple picks. Herbicides are used for weeding.

Soils have no humus layer. In the lower areas close to the river, soils have an increased loam content. Salinity and acidity are a problem and a key factor in limiting plant growth (Tostao, 2009), which can in turn lead to the aban- donment of production (see box on salinity below). Farmers use chicken dung for fertilisation, usually after planting and integrating crop leftovers into the soil (which can be questionable in terms of pest control). Soil building and soil fertility are rarely taught in the context of urban agriculture in Maputo. At the same time, 85% of the inter- viewed farmers consider their soils good, a perception that seems at odds with the use of mineral fertiliser to boost crop growth (17_B_MP, n=366).

Fertilisation

97% of the interviewed farmers use manure to fertilise their soils, 53% apply compost and 34% use mineral liquid fertilisers (17_B_MP, n=369). The term compost is unknown in the Changana language and the words manure and compost are often used as synonyms.

Only 19% of farmers have their own compost heaps (n=198). Farmers using agro-ecological techniques, apply homemade liquid fertilisers. This is mostly manure mixed with water to strengthen plant growth.

Water management and irrigation

Watering is labour-intensive. It is done manually with water poured from watering cans directly onto the plants. The water itself comes from pit holes, streams, the Infulene River or tanks, some of which are filled by generator- driven pumps. Wells are few and far between and expensive to boot. They also require official permission via appli- cation. Irrigation is carried out individually and frequency changes depending on temperatures. Observation has shown that farmers irrigate throughout the day, even in the heat. 99% of interviewees use manual irrigation tech- niques (watering can, mostly without a sprinkling filter) (17_B_MP, n=368). Drip irrigation is rarely practised by small-scale producers due to lack of technical equipment. ACDI/VOCA has been promoting the use of drip irrigation on demonstration plots. The implementation of drip irrigation systems in the associations would reduce water usage immensely, decrease water stress (mainly with lettuce), minimize labour and increase production efficiency. A study conducted by IIAM pointed out the advantages of drip irrigation: apart from plant growth advantages, the material (hose pipes) is cheap and available in South Africa. One hindering factor of implementation is the individ- ual farmer structure in the associations and the irrigation association’s fear of losing jobs.

Pest and disease management, field hygiene and weed management

Farmers have little knowledge of pest and disease prevention or plant protection. Field hygiene is a major chal- lenge, e.g., farmers leave rotten and infested leaves or roots in the beds after harvesting.

Interview results indicate that 90% of farmers use pesticides (17_B_MP, n=364). Due to high pest pressure, notably on cabbage in the warm season, both legal and banned pesticides (Metamidofos, DDT) are applied liberally without safety measures. No producer, small or large, was found to be using the appropriate protection when spraying. This is due to the high price for equipment. Mixing pesticides is a common practice when it comes to making pest con- trol more effective. Insecticides are used frequently in the area and in large doses, primarily on cabbage plants. A study by Cachomba et al. (2016) shows evidence of a positive correlation between the quantity of insecticide ap- plied and the financial situation of the producers. The latter claim they stop spraying five to seven days before the harvest. Calling compliance with these requirements into question would not be unreasonable. Further techniques to strengthen plants and to make them more resistant against pests are not incorporated into the production sys- tem.

One of the few examples of non-chemical protection is the distribution of tobacco leaves around the beds to pro- tect plants from snails, the use of piri-piri and garlic teas or a liquid based on papaya leaves.

Pesticide drift from conventional production areas into agro-ecological spaces is, however, a common cause for concern.

Harvesting and post-harvest handling

Harvesting is done manually and farmers harvest the canteiros completely. If they sell to maguevas – which is usual- ly the case – the latter do the harvesting.

The products are mostly sold without on-site washing. The production areas have no storage facilities. Neither is there post-harvest handling of the principal crops – cabbage and lettuce. Very few farmers dry chillies for self- consumption.

Source: Paganini