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ECHO West Africa Update 2023-03-28

ECHO West Africa's forum on sustainable agriculture this year was themed Producing and Consuming Organic, for the benefit of 135 participants. This forum is the result of the recommendations made by the participants of the sub-regional forum which took place in September 2022.

View Presentations from the Forum

The themes of the forum were addressed in the form of panels, allowing different speakers to make presentations around the scheduled themes, before moving on to practical workshops. The first day was devoted to the theme of the manufacture and use of organic fertilizers. This allowed ECHO trainers to present four different types of organic fertilizers before doing the practice to allow participants to master the different formulas.  The theme of the manufacture and use of biopesticides was presented on the second day. This day allowed the panelists of the day to communicate around four formulas of biopesticides, both in theory and in practice. Finally, on the third day, the topics covered were the Foundations For Farming (FFF) method, the "Balo" program, and above-ground techniques. Time was also given to the NGO Practica to make a presentation on the "zainer", a tool designed to facilitate the digging of sowing holes within the framework of the FFF. Before closing, several participants expressed great enthusiasm for the training received.

For two years, our region, Diapaga, has no longer been supplied with organic fertilizer because of insecurity. Through this training, ECHO offers us a new hope for a revival of our agriculture.

-  Ismaël Bonzi, Forum participant

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Upcoming events

ECHO Asia Tropical Agriculture & Development (TAD) Course
Mon, 27 March 2023 » Sat, 1 April 2023

Chiang Mai, Thailand

This 1-week course is designed for development workers, missionaries, and volunteers looking to engage their communities with low-cost, high-impact agricultural ideas and techniques. Participants will be introduced to various agricultural practices and technologies through classroom time and hands-on activities on the farm, learning to 'use what you have to make what you need.' This course is considered an 'introductory survey course' and will present a broad overview of many options suite...

REAP / anamed Training Seminar in Natural Medicine
Sun, 16 April 2023 » Sat, 22 April 2023

Subiaco Centre in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya

REAP is an organization in Kenya with extensive experience in sustainable agriculture and Natural Medicine.  REAP will run a week-long intensive training seminar in Natural Medicine following the methods and principles of anamed international. Anamed, short for “action for natural medicine” has over 30 years of experience in the scientific use of medicinal plants to treat many common tropical health complaints and diseases. Those attending past seminars have come not only from Kenya but from ...

ECHO Asia Tropical Agriculture & Development (TAD) Course
Mon, 26 June 2023 » Sat, 1 July 2023

Chiang Mai, Thailand

  This 1-week course is designed for development workers, missionaries, and volunteers looking to engage their communities with low-cost, high-impact agricultural practices and techniques. Participants will be introduced to a wide variety of agricultural practices and technologies through classroom time and hands-on activities on the farm, learning to 'use what you have to make what you need'. This course is considered an 'introductory survey course', and will present a broad overview o...

Introduction to Tropical Agriculture Development - July 2023
Mon, 10 July 2023 » Fri, 14 July 2023

ECHO Global Farm, USA

Those interested in preparing for short to long-term involvement in international agriculture development are encouraged to participate in this five-day course.  Topics and discussions will focus on improved food security and agricultural livelihoods for small-scale farmers in developing countries.  Participants will be introduced to the complexities related to poverty and community development.  They will also be introduced to principles and practices that contribute toward maintaining healt...

ECHO Asia Agriculture & Community Development Conference 2023
Mon, 16 October 2023 » Fri, 20 October 2023

Holiday Garden Hotel and Resort and The ECHO Asia Impact Center Farm and Seed Bank, Thailand

How can we help small scale farming initiatives thrive in Asia? We can provide low-cost, innovative options that allow people to grow both their crops and their knowledge, expand their operations, and thrive! Join us October 17-20 for 4-days of networking and opportunities to share ideas, technologies appropriate for small scale farmers, and lots of practical demonstrations at the ECHO Asia Seed Bank & Small Farm Resource Center! In addition to morning plenary speakers, we will cond...

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