10/11/2012
Master Farm: Katakel, Kaffrine Region
Master Farmer: Fatou Willane
PCVs: Lorraine Perricone – Dazzo
Sarah Ferguson
Date of Open Field Day Event: October 6, 2012
The Master Farm of Fatou Willane held an Open Field Day
event on October 6th , 2012. Guests arrived throughout the morning
but during the tour of the field and the subsequent discussion there were 75
local community farmers in attendance. The objective of the day was to present,
to interested farmers, five field crop demonstrations implementing three
techniques; Conservation Agriculture (CA), System of Rice Intensification
(SRI), and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The event was designed to create a
forum for the discussion of local farming practices and to facilitate the
exchange of knowledge and support amongst farmers living in the same community.
The day commences at 9:30AM with breakfast and an informal
discussion between the Master Farmer, her family, the PCVs and guests. At
10:30AM the guests represented a large amount of the surrounding community so
Master Farmer Fatou Willane , her son Mamort Drame, and APCD Famara Massaly
began a presentation of the improved techniques demonstrated throughout the
field. These included demo plots of each local field crop; corn, millet,
sorghum, rice, and beans. Grafted fruit trees and live fencing techniques were
also presented. Conservation farming methods which stress the importance of
organic matter additions and ground cover were shown in plots of corn, millet,
and sorghum. Integrated Pest Management was displayed in several plots of beans
with physical pest control in the form of yellow sticky traps and chemical
control in the form of a neem oil regimen. The rice demonstration plot showed
the improved tillering and fruiting of rice under the SRI principle of thinning
to one seedling per hill at the two leaf stage.
Mamort Drame
discusses SRI MF Fatou Willane Oman Ndao of Trees for
the Future Mamort Drame
shares his
and Local farmers
shows off a beautiful grafted JuJube Knowledge to the group.
Around 11:30AM the group gathered in the shade where the
Master Farmer fielded any questions which led to a broad discussion on farming
in this area, south of Kaffrine. Various topics were discussed including rice
production, stryga control, protecting crops from animal damage, and the
importance of interspersed trees in fields. Farmers shared ideas, complaints,
knowledge and questions. The event ended after lunch and the guests had
completely dispersed by 4pm.
Master Farmer Fatou Willane enjoyed the event and has
reported an increase in community members visiting her field. She believes the
day of discussion helped inform the community about the goals and functions of
the program. Her criticism is that it was held late in the season so some of
her crops were over ripe. She would, in the future, prefer and earlier date so
she could have harvested on time. Both Fatou and I enjoyed the process of
implementing techniques we hadn’t before, and the opportunity to share our
experience and findings.
The day itself went smoothly and I believe valuable
knowledge was exchanged amongst farmers. Forums, such as what was held at the
open field day, are the key to community development. I felt a great sense of
pride toward my local work partners during the talk. Although I felt everything
discussed was valuable and all attendees listened and learned, the talking
itself was done by a core group while others gave only cursory additions to the
exchange. The next time I assist in hosting such an event I will be sure to
derive the seating arrangement such that all attendees feel included. I may
gently demand questions or comments from the female attendees since despite
their great number and undivided attention, hardly spoke up.
Through follow up discussion with attendees I have
ascertained that the community is excited about trying the techniques displayed
at the events, especially neem oil and SRI. Two informants told me they hope to
try cropping rice next year despite never having grown it before. I will
continue to follow up with attendees to answer questions and assist with the
adoption of any technique they saw at the Master Farm. I have already
encouraged those with questions to seek the counsel of Fatou herself or her
well informed sons.
The goals of the planned event were achieved, but as the
Master Farm continues to be established as a fixture in the community, events
such as these will gain momentum and value in their outcomes. This farmer
centered development program will grow along with the community it is
integrally a part of.
No comments:
Post a Comment