Use of FFTC Practical Technology Leaflets
The Leaflet Project
In 2003, the Center published 43 more Practical Technology (PT) leaflets, while another 51 more PT leaflets are to be published in 2003. This will make a total of 131 leaflets on practical technology for small-scale Asian farms. The Center's Deputy Director, Dr. Tokuhiro Momonoki, is the organizer of this project.
Network of Coordinators
The leaflets are written by a network of coordinators in eight Asian countries, on topics discussed and approved in advance by the coordinators and FFTC staff. The completed leaflets are published by FFTC and distributed to the coordinators, who make them available to national institutes as needed, and also translate them into local languages for use by farmers.
To the right are two of the PT leaflets used by national extension systems. One is a publication in Vietnamese on weed control for peanut, and the other, from the Philippines, is on alley cropping.
Example of Leaflet: Control of Golden Snail
Golden snails, sometimes known as apple snails, are a major rice pest in many Asian countries. Originally from Florida and South America, the snails have few natural enemies in Asia to control them.
Adult snails cut the young paddy seedlings, or tillers that are less than 21 days old. Attacks take place mainly at night. Signs of snail attack are paddy tillers floating in the water, and bare patches in the crop.
Growers in Malaysia have found that they can control the snails by using rotten jackfruit as a bait. It is best to use freshly rotted fruits which have a strong smell. The bait is put out in the field overnight. It should not be submerged in water. The apple snails gather on and around the jackfruit, and can be gathered and destroyed.
Index of Images
Figure 1 Extension Leaflet Published in Vietnam, Based on a 2002 FFTC Practical Technology (PT) Leaflet
Figure 2 Collecting Apple Snails from around Rotten Jackfruit (See Leaflet No. PT2002-41: Use of Rotten Jackfruit to Control Golden (Apple) Snail).
