As part of the Amélioration Alimentaire des Capacités des Producrices(ASACAP) project, Enda Santé is increasing awareness of the dangers of using pesticides in agriculture.
From 13 to 23 June 2019, women's groups from Simbandi Balante, Sinthian Aidara and Saré Saré were trained on agroecology in order to master good organic farming practices.
During the mission, the women's groups identified several problems related to the use of pesticides, including the degradation of people's and animals' health, soil depletion and the high cost of chemicals. In addition, the women highlighted the lack of knowledge about organic farming practices. This barrier was quickly overcome by the members of the mission, who set about training them on the different phases of plant development and the associated needs.
For interactive exchanges, the women were given the opportunity to draw on the ground the different phases of development from nursery to harvest. This exercise allowed them to see how to maximise yields by rationalising water and fertiliser inputs.
In addition, the mission covered several agroecological themes such as water management and fertilisation, as well as seed selection and work organisation.
In addition to the training, watchdog committees were set up, chaired by the village chiefs, who expressed their satisfaction.
The mission also shared techniques for manufacturing organic fertilisation and treatment products while taking into account the principles of environmental preservation, human and animal health, and soil preservation. Thus, five treatment products and one liquid fertiliser product were produced. The last two points of discussion concerned the practice of crop rotation and crop association.
