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Some crops can help famers prepare for disasters
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Famers may not be able to prevent natural disasters, but they can at least try their best to reduce losses.
For example,they can plan crops that are more like to survive extreme weather. In north-central Vietnam, people with small farms do mot plant rice between Sep. and Dec.. Seasonal rains might destroy the rice. So instead, they plant lotus seeds on raised beds, and the lotus seeds bring a good price in local markets.
Farmers in the Philipines are showing new interst in crop like wighed beans, string beans, arrwroot and cassava. And traditinal crops like these can survive the fierce strom that often strike the islands.
The United Nations says African farmers grow bambara groundnuts during long dry periods. The seeds of this drought-resistant plant can be boiled for eating or for making flour.
In some parts of the world, famers grow vetiver grass. The grass can absorb and control the spread of harmful wesrewaters, like those from pig farms. Vetiver resists difficult conditions. It reduces damage from heavy rains. And vetiver planted on earthen dams may strengthen them against breaks and flooding.
The deep and extensive roots of sunflowers make them another good candidate for resisting extreme conditions. The tall plants have bright colored heads that provide seeds and oil. North Dakota grows more hectares of sunflowers than any other American state. But North Dakota is better known as a top wheat producing state.
Famers in some parts of North Dakota plant wheat that is ready to harvest in only about one hundred days. That way it can grow before the hot, dry months of July through September.
For example,they can plan crops that are more like to survive extreme weather. In north-central Vietnam, people with small farms do mot plant rice between Sep. and Dec.. Seasonal rains might destroy the rice. So instead, they plant lotus seeds on raised beds, and the lotus seeds bring a good price in local markets.
Farmers in the Philipines are showing new interst in crop like wighed beans, string beans, arrwroot and cassava. And traditinal crops like these can survive the fierce strom that often strike the islands.
The United Nations says African farmers grow bambara groundnuts during long dry periods. The seeds of this drought-resistant plant can be boiled for eating or for making flour.
In some parts of the world, famers grow vetiver grass. The grass can absorb and control the spread of harmful wesrewaters, like those from pig farms. Vetiver resists difficult conditions. It reduces damage from heavy rains. And vetiver planted on earthen dams may strengthen them against breaks and flooding.
The deep and extensive roots of sunflowers make them another good candidate for resisting extreme conditions. The tall plants have bright colored heads that provide seeds and oil. North Dakota grows more hectares of sunflowers than any other American state. But North Dakota is better known as a top wheat producing state.
Famers in some parts of North Dakota plant wheat that is ready to harvest in only about one hundred days. That way it can grow before the hot, dry months of July through September.
