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3. 2026 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference

An On-Farm Demonstration Model to Mitigate Production and Financial Risks

Lila Karki, Rumita Sanwa, Mouhamadou Diack, and Anuj Dhakal

Summary

Small and minority farmers are particularly affected by climate change. After assessing the needs of small-scale producers in rural communities, UMES Extension has established 11 climate-resilient agroforestry (CRAF) on-farm demonstration sites. The main objectives were to enable farmers to reduce production and financial risks arising from extreme weather variability by optimizing farm profitability. The model introduced alley cropping, planted 332 high-carbon-sequestering fruit trees and bushes in rows, and over 5000 selected vegetables in the alleys, with cover crops in the winter. Producers reported encouraging results in reducing production and financial risks. Additionally, the CRAF model has evidently increased soil carbon sequestration and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, indicating environmental benefits and prospects for carbon farming. Moreover, the CRAF model spreads risks across four diverse commodities (fruits, vegetables, cover crops, and carbon credits) on the same piece of land, thereby reducing the risk of losing total farm production to zero or to minimal levels. Hence, the model diversifies income sources into four streams, ensuring the practice is self-sustaining. Additionally, it enriches soil health through increased organic matter decomposition, minimal or no use of chemical fertilizers, cover crops, natural mulch, compost, crop diversification, minimum tillage, degradable fabrics, integrated pest management, and rainwater harvesting. Nearly 300 farmers, students, faculty, and staff, including community members, were trained in 2024 and 2025 through field days, workshops, training sessions, consultations, and counseling.

Details

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