Local food producers introduced to modern climate smart agriculture techniques |12 March 2020
The Entreprendre Au Féminin Ocean Indien Seychelles (EFOIS) with the support of the Citizens Engagement Platform (Ceps) last month conducted a two-day climate smart agriculture training programme, funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
Held at the Val D’Andorre training room, the sessions were organised with the objective of developing sustainable climate-smart agriculture for communities on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, reducing importation of food products and improving food nutrition and security in the country by including women and young people in national development efforts, especially in priority sectors.
On Wednesday February 26, National Project Coordinator Benjamin Vel introduced the participants to climate change, teaching them about soil and pest management and shade house technology, bio products and fertilisers and growing the right crops.
Thursday’s session started with a visit to the Anse Boileau Centre, before the participants had the opportunity to learn more about agro forestry.
As part of the project, 25 women and young persons will be trained in green agriculture, with focus on climate change adaptation and sustainable farming methods, thereby increasing the amount of sustainably-farmed produce on the local market.
According to the organisers, it is hoped that by equipping local food producers with the knowledge and modern climate smart agriculture techniques and practices which they can easily replicate on their own farms, Seychelles can improve in terms of improved food and nutrition security, with more women and young people developing a stake in the agricultural development of the country. The widespread adoption of climate-smart techniques is also expected to improve soil conditions with less depletion of top soil as well as positively impacting on the personal health of the population.
The final phase of the project is expected to be completed later this month, with further training sessions scheduled for young school-leavers on March 18.
Laura Pillay