Soil and irrigation

Horticulture Innovation Lab research related to irrigation practices and soil health examine constraints to irrigation adoption, effects of conservation agriculture practices on horticultural crops, low-cost methods to improve soil health, and farmer-led irrigation processes to make irrigation more widely available for smallholder vegetable farmers.

Woman farmer in Cambodia in vegetable farm blog with mulch and drip irrigation tank.

Empowering women vegetable growers with drip irrigation in Cambodia

Led by Manuel Reyes, Kansas State University

Horticulture crop production, a woman's domain in parts of Southeast Asia, is plagued by yield losses because of drought and unequal opportunities for women.

Cambodia

Promoting conservation agriculture for vegetable growers in Cambodia and Nepal

Led by Manuel Reyes, Kansas State University

In regions of Cambodia and Nepal, water can be scarce for extended periods, negatively affecting horticultural crop production and food security.

Cambodia, Nepal

Farmer and scientist examine potato root and soil, outside

Managing nematodes and soil health in Guatemala

Led by Brent Sipes, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

This research team works with smallholder potato farmers in the Western Highlands of Guatemala on integrated technologies for nematode and soil health management, so potato farmers can achieve sustainable yields.

Guatemala

Young women working in garden plot with vegetable seedlings, drip irrigation hose, mulch, and USAID water tank in background

Promoting drip irrigation and climate resilience in Guatemala

Also called MásRiego, this project develops and implements holistic, business-driven solutions to increase availability of climate resilient solutions while increasing inclusion.

Guatemala