Developing natural swamps into productive, sustainable community farms, without destroying the rain forest.
After the Civil war, many rural communities re-established themselves but did not return to their traditional swamp land rice farming techniques, given the disruption to the knowledge and infrastructure caused by the conflict. Instead, they scraped by, resorting to slash and burn methods with poor yields from weak strains. With the right support Rory's Well villages are now working together (for the first time for some) in the traditional swamp lands, planting rice that is organic, traditional and able to germinate year on year. All of the villages have had a successful harvest and developed their swamps. Eventually the swamps will be developed to support 1 rice crop followed by planting a "Swamp Garden" with local vegetables each per year.
All Rory's Well Farming projects start with building a community grain store and seed bank, somewhere safe, dry and rat proof is essential to store the harvests and seeds ready to plant next season.
Note: Lowland Swamps are often referred to as "IVS" Inland Valley Swamps
All Rory's Well Farming projects start with building a community grain store and seed bank, somewhere safe, dry and rat proof is essential to store the harvests and seeds ready to plant next season.
Note: Lowland Swamps are often referred to as "IVS" Inland Valley Swamps
Lowland Farming Standard Package
Lowland Farm Description:
The initial package of equipment and support is to provide 1 acre of prepared swamp, Labour, tools, seeds, technical support and advice.
We aim to provide a minimum of 1 acre in each village with a population up to 250 villagers. For larger villages we aim to increase the acreage on the basis of 1 acre per 250 villagers.
Initial Swamp development will be the first stage and preparation for a further development into “Swamp Gardens”
Swamp Preparation:
RW will provide funding for labour to clear and prepare the swamp according to advice from RW technical adviser.
Tools:
RW will provide local hand tools suitable for Swamp development, Rice planting, tending and harvesting
The standard package of tools should be sufficient for villages up to a population of 750 (3 acres) Additional tools will be provided for larger villages.
Seeds:
RW will provide local organic Rice seeds for the first planting.
Seeds for subsequent planting should be collect from the first harvest and kept as a “seed Bank” for continued permanant farming and expansion.
Technical Support:
Based on Permaculture permanent farming principles, RW will provide technical support for the following:
First Stage Swamp development - Clearing, Water courses, Sluices, Bunding etc.
Planting
Pest control
Harvesting
Crop Rotation
Harvest:
RW will provide 5 Storage Sacks per acre planted.
The initial package of equipment and support is to provide 1 acre of prepared swamp, Labour, tools, seeds, technical support and advice.
We aim to provide a minimum of 1 acre in each village with a population up to 250 villagers. For larger villages we aim to increase the acreage on the basis of 1 acre per 250 villagers.
Initial Swamp development will be the first stage and preparation for a further development into “Swamp Gardens”
Swamp Preparation:
RW will provide funding for labour to clear and prepare the swamp according to advice from RW technical adviser.
Tools:
RW will provide local hand tools suitable for Swamp development, Rice planting, tending and harvesting
The standard package of tools should be sufficient for villages up to a population of 750 (3 acres) Additional tools will be provided for larger villages.
Seeds:
RW will provide local organic Rice seeds for the first planting.
Seeds for subsequent planting should be collect from the first harvest and kept as a “seed Bank” for continued permanant farming and expansion.
Technical Support:
Based on Permaculture permanent farming principles, RW will provide technical support for the following:
First Stage Swamp development - Clearing, Water courses, Sluices, Bunding etc.
Planting
Pest control
Harvesting
Crop Rotation
Harvest:
RW will provide 5 Storage Sacks per acre planted.
Villages Supported with a Rice project in 2015:
Korigboma - Sponsored by Betty Richardson
Madina - Sponsored by Ben
Yuabu - Sponsored by Hal
Maka - Sponsored by Betty Richardson
Massarayla - Sponsored by Betty Richardson
Villages Supported with a Rice project in 2016:
Komende - Supported by Nibley Festival 2016
We hope to support several new villages in the 2016/2017 planting season
Korigboma - Sponsored by Betty Richardson
Madina - Sponsored by Ben
Yuabu - Sponsored by Hal
Maka - Sponsored by Betty Richardson
Massarayla - Sponsored by Betty Richardson
Villages Supported with a Rice project in 2016:
Komende - Supported by Nibley Festival 2016
We hope to support several new villages in the 2016/2017 planting season
Komende
Seed rice, Tools and Food Rice delivered to Komende on 23rd July 2016.
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