Farmer One:


EW:


Farmer Two:


for generations-why should we consider changing
it at all?
Any ideas?"
"Well, if we are going to harvest our grain earlier
than we used to-when it still has moisture in it-
then we need a structure that allows the grain to dry
quickly. With a basket like this, closely woven, the air
doesn't get to the cobs well enough."
"True. If we change our practice of harvesting, and
remove the cobs from the field, as we were suggesting
at the last field day, when the grain is mature but
still with something like 30% moisture content-to
prevent attacks by pests and moulds in the shamba-
then we need also to make changes to the old methods
of storage. As you say, we need to make sure the grain
will dry rapidly in the structure.
But are there any other problems with a basket like
this?"
"It is very close to the ground-and rats can easily get
into it."


Farmer Three: "Other pests too-other rodents."
EW: "Mzee, you have made alterations to this basket here
 in your compound. Tell us what you have done-and
 what are the results?"


Farmer Four:


"Yes, as you can see, I have had the basket raised
above the ground and put these rat guards on the
legs. Also, you will see that the weave is more open.
And I have moved it so that it catches as much breeze
as possible.


 Last harvest, I am sure I saved much more grain by
 getting the maize out of the shamba as soon as
 possible and drying it in here. But I am not sure how
 much I have saved."
Farmer Two: "And how much did it cost you to adapt it like this?"


Farmer Four:


"Actually, it cost me nothing, because the work was
done by the project as a demonstration. But I am sure
the cost would be very little. In fact, it is a simple
operation, and many of us could find the materials
and do the job ourselves."