Vision: ECI believes in human resource development at the grassroots level in the paradigm where conservation of environment is a pre-requisite for sustainable development.
The International Youth Day (IYD-2013) was celebrated worldwide to mark the role and importance of youth in the national and global
A two-day’s training program on integrated crop and vegetable production for local growers was held at Chak 102 in Burewala, District Vehari at the Dera of Chaudhary Ataullah. More than 100 farmers participated in the event. The program was organized jointly by ECI, WLO and PARC. Chaudhary Usman Ali inaugurated the program. He briefed on the background and gave an overview of his social development activities for development of Burewala. The resource persons such as Mr. Azhar Qureshi, Ms. Hamida Masood Shah, Dr. Sher Mohammad, Mr. Amir Hamza and Mr. Riaz-ud-Din delivered presentations on a range of subjects related to integrated crop management and organic vegetable production based upon crop productivity enhancement approaches. Environment friendly, innovative and alternative farming technologies were introduced to the growers with the aims of enhanced production and minimum input costs. This was followed by the on-farm demonstration of a number of fertility enhancement practices to enable the growers for production of bio-fertilizers. Mr. Azhar Qureshi, CEO – ECI presented an overview of the integrated crop management from preparation of land to harvesting of the crops and then marketing of the produce. Participants were provided with the guidelines in productivity enhancement through implementation of activities with proper planning. As a first step, this is highly important that the growers prepare their land after getting the soil and water samples tested from reliable laboratories. The ploughing may be carried out depending upon nature of the soil. The seed sowing techniques play an important role in crop productivity enhancement. Therefore, seed selection and procurement may be carried out through certified sources so that it is free of any infestation and could properly germinate. The weeds may be managed through selection and application of a recommended weedicide or by mechanical control methods. With the growth of crop, the farmers need to adopt pest scouting and monitoring schedule. At this stage, one has to be familiar with the useful and harmful insects. In case of higher number of harmful insects, the growers may apply available bio-pesticides, pheromones or mechanical control practices. This is also highly important that the growers should have pictorial list of useful and harmful insects for identification. In case of application of chemical pesticides, the growers should use these only as a last resort when all other methods are not available. Furthermore, the fertilizer application and irrigation of crop need to be maintained keeping in view the crop situation. At the stage of crop harvesting, growers should have enough knowledge about harvest implements to avoid crop losses. After harvesting of the crop, there are different options for crop storage. Maximum efforts should be made to avoid production losses during storage of the produce. For maximum profits, the growers have to be very careful and vigilant about different market channels for supply of their produce. To conclude the presentation, Mr. Qureshi recommended the growers to develop crop management charts with preconceived tips for preparation, management, harvesting and marketing of the produce for each of the crop. This exercise will ensure them the best integrated management of their crops with maximum profit to be earned in the market.
Read moreECI Organic Pest Management (OPM) team had major focus on redistribution of the parasitoid Aphelinus mali in different parts of Skardu, Baltistan. ECI OPM team arranged several diagnostic surveys to determine the status of A. mali in Baltistan region. Pheromone traps were put against fruit fly on apple, apricot and pear at the premises of Hussainabad Local Support Organization (LSO) and Khar-Grong area of the Skardu valley. Insect collection of Order Hymenoptera was also one of the major activities in this quarter. ECI project manager briefed the community during the field survey about the OPM project and its achievements.
Read morePromoting ecological conservation through participatory development by the active involvement of community at grassroots level.
Eco-Conservation Initiatives (ECI)
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