Preparation for Social Action

Daga Agriculture Research Group (DARG)

This paper provides the findings of the Agriculture-Research Group after three (3)
practices based on their interest in the field of Agriculture. The description here may not
fully reflects the diversity of the crop-species found in Daga micro-region, however, is
based on the information that was available to the group since 2017.The group welcomes
comments and additional information from the experience of the farmers and of their own
through systematic study, action and reflection.

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Acknowledgement

The writers of this document would want to express and extend their limitless
acknowledgement to the coordinators and the directors of the Rays of Light Foundation,
for giving us continuous guidance, information and directions towards the successful
completion of this initial stage of development.

The group would also like to thank the effort made by every individual participant for
their bright contribution, participation and collaboration towards the end of this first draft
document. We acknowledge and appreciate the contributions made by the promoters of
community of wellbeing in other field of studies which we are so grateful for your
constant support and encouragement. Moreover, the group humbly appreciate the tireless
farmers for been educating us with every detail knowledge, insights, learning, wisdom
and information pertaining to agriculture in the region. They would also sincerely extend
their gratitude to various institutional arms and the society as a whole for ceaselessly
supporting in many countless ways. Subsequently, through the process of research,
investigation and practice, the group will continue to document new learning’s, elaborate
more information and continue to seek guidance and assistance from groups and friends
until we reach the desired outcome.

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 Background

In the time of the ancestors, several crops species were introduced to the region. The
crops that are believed to be originated from Daga includes; yam, kaukau (sweet potato)
and taro. Certain species of these holds the identity of different groups of people in the
region. Overtime, the crops have spread to different areas of the region through
interaction between these different groups. Undoubtedly, the people played a significant
role in the development of agriculture and have rich knowledge of cultivation, however,
were unable to keep accounts of the experience they developed from the cultivation of
each crop.
“The fundamental basis of the community is agriculture, tillage of the soil. All must be
producers.”

Introduction

What is Agriculture?

Agriculture is the science of cultivating the soil to grow plants and the raising animals for
human needs.

The geographical features of Daga micro-region includes high mountains, deep valleys
and flat lands that are dominated with green rain forest and savannah grassland. The
annual rainfall ranges from 1500 – 2000mm in January to June and around 1000 mm in
July to December. Mostly, the region experiences dry and wet season throughout the
year. Daga has more than 600 varieties of crops that grow well in the fertile soil. About
hundred percent (100%) of its inhabitants are mostly dependent on agriculture as the
main source of sustenance.

Daga Agriculture Research Group (DARG) is formed in 2017 by some18 participants

design to promote the well- being of their communities. In particular, the group would
like to learn about the cultivation of the common edible species found in the micro-
region. The initial design of their research is purposely to work together to prepare the
first draft of their findings. Subsequently, through the process of research and reflection
that helped them together with the units studied on agriculture in the PSA.

Agriculture is one of the most fundamental factors that contribute to World Economy, as
it stated in the Writings;

“Strive as much as possible to become proficient in science of agriculture, for in

accordance with the Divine Teaching, the Acquisition of Science and the perfection of art
are considered as act of worship. If a man engages with all his powers in the acquisition

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of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has been worshipping God in the
churches and temples. Thus as thou enterreth a school of agriculture and strives in the
acquisition of the science, thou art day and night engage in act of worship-acts that are
accepted are the threshold of the Almighty. What bounty great then this that science
should be considered as an act of worship and arts as service to the Kingdom of God”.

Aims and Objectives

There are many crop species adapted to the region, the knowledge of which is limited to
few individuals that have the art of gardening. Over time more and more different species
are found within the region through the movement of people in-and-out of the region.
Thus, the issue identified by the group is on the diversity of crop-species and the
familiarities of its characteristics. Therefore the group is initiated to identify the common
edible crops in Daga micro-region, its physical characteristics (colour, size and texture)
as well as methods of crop propagation. The group also looks forward to learn about the
nutritional content of the crops that will influence the selection of farming system and the
selection of crops in their design project.

Research Approaches

At the initial start of this practice, several spaces have been created at the level of the
tutors on the nature of the practice and its approaches. To help them in their research,
they have formulated several questions base on the information they wanted to collect.
Prior to the field study, they also met with the institutions of the community and shared
their plans so then the institution took the responsibility to make arrangement with
farmers in the community of whom, what and when to do the research. In some
communities, the group met with the leaders such as the ward counsellor, village chives
and church leaders to help them with the arrangement of their visit.

The group then discussed and selected some participants among themselves to introduce
the purpose and nature of the practice while visiting the farmers. Conversation has
become easy through the students relationship with families and close relatives in
different communities. The group took a friendly research even in the wider communities
with a spirit of devotion and fellowship before and after the research. There were signs of
joy and delight expressed by farmers as they were all learning from each other.
According to the number of famers they selected in each community, the group divided

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themselves for interviews base on the questions they have formulated. These questions
include;

- How many types of crops do you grow in your garden?

- What are the names of the crops that you cultivate?
- How do you propagate the seeds?
- Where does the crop originated?
- When do you plant and how long does it take to yield?
- Why do you select this specific crop?
- How many species of crops do you plant in your garden?

There were other questions relating to the soil and environmental conditions in which the
crop is cultivated. At the end of each day, the participants gather together with their tutors
for reflection and planning for the next field visit (planning, action and reflection).

Data Analyses

During the research, the group has visited 11 farmers in 7 different communities in the
region. According to the information they have collected, there are total of 16 common
edible crops found in the region, and each of these crops has different species. The
number of species identified are 637, and 46 of which is grown by the farmers they are
unnamed.

Table 1: Shows the number of identified crop-species and the seed propagation
Name of the Number of Species Seed Propagation Photo
Crop Identified identified

Taro 135 Cutting and Tubbers

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 Yam 105 Tubbers

Sweet Potato
100 Runners

Banana 78 Suckers

German Taro 2 Cuttings and Tubbers

Cassava 23 Stems

Pumpkin 8 Seeds and Vines

English Potato 2 Tubbers

Sugar Cane 26 Cuttings

Greens 25 Seeds, bulk and cuttings

Beans 25 Seeds

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 Fruits 35 Seeds

Spicy food 3 Seeds

Nuts 5 Nuts and Seeds

Pipit 19 Cuttings
Unnamed Crops 46
Total

Note for un-name crops: The group will continue to work on these to find the exact
names for the crops with the help of the farmers. The all aim of the group is to know the
un-name crops species.

Table 2: The Seasonal Calendar of the crops in Table 1

Name of the Planting Season Harvesting Annual Crop Seasonal
Crop Season Crop
Taro Oct - Nov Aug - Sep 
Yam Oct - Nov June 
Sweet Potato Jun - Jul August 
Banana May - Jul Any month 
German Taro Jan - Mar Any month 
Pumpkin Aug Any month 
Cassava Jan - Feb Any month 
Greens Sep - Oct Sep – Oct 
Beans Apr - May Nov – Jan 
Fruits Jun - Jul December 
Nuts Apr - Jun Nov – Dec 
Pitpit Apr - May Apr – May 
Spices Oct - Nov Apr - May 
English Potato Jan May – Jun 
Sugar cane Apr - May Apr - May 

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 Description of the Food Crops

SWEET POTATO

Sweet potato is the most important grown on the preferred soil as pH indicator
subsistence food crop. It is most often test from 5-6 neutral.
planted commonly in Daga, combination
with other crops in the same garden called
mix-cropping (poly-culture system). This
crop has originated from Daga and it was
introduced to different adjoining region
including Makamaka and Weraura. It is
grown well in both lowland and highland
areas. The largest tubers are harvested in
these two types of climate, and it best

TARO

Taro is a root crop which is widely grown There are cut portion of the corm with leaf
in Daga, including Makamaka and stalk attached.
Weraura. Taro grows well in granular soils
that are fertile and have plenty of humus
and manure. The crop does not grow well
in dry loose soils .The area of high rainfall
are good for growing taro. It is propagated
by the use of cut portion of the corms .Its
pieces of cut corms should have a skin and
one or more buds. In many cases taro tops
a used for planting and leaves for eating.

BANANA

The most important tropical fruit is
banana. A Daga edible banana refers to
banana that is eaten. Banana is a huge tree
like perennial plants which may grow to
height of 2m—9m.The leaves usually long
and broad.
The trunk/stem of the banana is actually a
false stem because it is made up of leave
sheath. These sheaths are tightly packed to
form the stem which acts as are trunk of
the banana plant. Banana can grow in any
type of fertile soil that as sufficient water.

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Where the soil is water logged, the plant
does not grow quickly. It grows at the
preferred pH level of the soil at 5.0 to 7.0.

CASSAVA

Cassava is a small tree like plant that as

erects stems and leaves. Each leaf has an odd
numbers of leaflets, usually between five and
seven. The stem and branches do not have
hairs. The plant grows to the height of more
than three metres. Cassava tolerates dry
conditions and can grow in the poorest soil
but not suitable for the water-logged soil. It
can best grow in preferred soil pH from 4-8.

YAM

Yam is tuberous plant with climbing vines.

Like many other crops, yam has one hundred
species with looks of different shapes, sizes,
colours and texture from the tubers and
leaves. Yam does not grow well in dry areas.
Those local areas with an annual rain fall
between 1500 and 2000mm is suitable for the
crop. Yam can adapt to conditions where the
climate warm humid with the temperature
between 25 and 40 degree Celsius throughout
the year. Yam does not tolerate forest.

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SUGAR CANE

Celsius or above 35. The average annual

Sugar cane is another common crop mostly
grown in the region but this crop can be
grown successfully by any small holder in
day’s journey. Sugar cane does not grow
significantly at temperature below 22 degree
rainfall for sugar cane to grow well is
between 100 and 1200mls. Yields of sugar
cane can be raise sharply with enough
intensity (photosynthesis). In a dry region
with overhead sun will produce the high
quality cane than a region with adequate rain
fall for sugar cane. It is clear that the crop is
not ideal for the wetter tropics. The most
suitable soils are alluvium and loam with a
higher organic content and the pH level of 5.
Sugar cane cannot withstand water logging,
so the soil must be free draining.

Learning

In this research and investigation, the group has explored into different factors pertaining to
agriculture, in particular, the ways in which various crop species been propagated. Through
study, consultation, action and reflection among the tutors and participants as well as their
approaches to people, including farmers visited in a number of communities, has enable the
participants to capture the firsthand experiences. Generosity was a quality we have seen been
expressed by those whom we have interacted with by sharing the way a specific crop being
grown, its physical characteristics such as colour, size, its height and soil suitability.

Areas of learning/Challenges

There are number areas the group will continue to reflect and act upon. Much of the
information they obtained depends on various factors. It includes the experiences of the
farmer, the time in which the practice is carried out, the name and the origin of the crop, the
cultivation methods the farmer applies and the geographical condition at which the research
was done.

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 Designed Project

The next step for the group was to design a project out from the information they have
collected during the research and investigation. The following two tables provides the
insights that have evolve during group discussion

Project

 Set up DHE plots in respective PSA location

Object of Learning

 To Learn about Cultivating 16 Edible Crops in the Region

Size of the Plot

 20 x 10 metres and the number of beds will be according to the number of crops each
group selects.

Plan

What When Where List of crops

Design Project May – April Each PSA Yam, Taro, Pineapple,
2019 Location Kaukau, Bean, Peanut,
Crop Selection Before May & Agaun, Aragip, Shirlot, English Potato
April Sesenaro, Gwirot

Crop selection and Calendar – The months given are best for each of the crop to be planted

Crop Planting month Period before

Harvesting
Seasonal
Kaukau Aug – Nov 10 months
Bean October 3 months
Peanut October 4 months
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 Shirlot February 1 month
Annual
Taro Nov – Oct 10 months
Yam Oct – Nov 12 months
Pineapple Jun – Feb 12 months

The group will focus more on the first designed projects specifically on the selected crops
that is popular. The main focus is to know the exact month of sowing and harvesting, and
find the growth of the plant and the measurements. They will also work to find out what type
of soil that the crop can be best grown by using the pH level and also to define the
characteristics of crops and control pest disease.

Lines of Action and the Strategies

o Identify specific months for each of the 16 edible crops for planting and harvesting.
(observed the growth of the crop)
o Soil biology. ( use pH level-soil test)
o Measurement.(-size of the plot-crops spacing- and the height of the crop)
o Soil fertility. (apply compost)
o Observe general characteristics of the crop. (nutrient deficiency)
o Draining and Irrigation(soil erosion water supply)
o Pests and disease control. (to get rid off and manage crop productions)
o Spaces for reflection. ( every cycle or after 3 months)
o Responsible students tutors(three students and one tutor in each locations)

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