
Seeds of success: Correctly applying safe pesticides has allowed sesame fields to flourish
ForAfrika’s advice and training has prevented the loss of livestock and crops for a number of farmers
Laurentine Nassy
ForAfrika’s continuing preventative solutions in Central African Republic (CAR) are making a difference to the lives of farmers and their families.
We work with over 40 farming associations in providing veterinary and agricultural support. The farmers are working the land in the best way they know how, but sometimes require advice and assistance in their efforts.
Before joining the Bekou farming group, Stéphane Kpakpa was struggling to deal with rats and insects ravaging his sesame and squash patches.
Despair and ruin
“I lived in daily despair of losing all of my crops before I could harvest them. I had no way to stop the rats and caterpillars from destroying my crops before joining the group,” he says.
As a member of the group, Stéphane was invited to our training session on the use of safe pesticides. Here, we equipped members of the group with spraying kits to make the process more efficient.
Stéphane said that in just three weeks he was able to see a difference: “I am filled with peace of heart because I am now witnessing the growth of my sesame plants and I hope to have a good harvest yield!”
Another farmer, Toussaint Ggbangbo, benefitted from good advice and solutions to his livestock problems. Toussaint, who lives with his wife and family in Kangamotema village, breeds goats and sheep for a living. Because they do not own grazing land, their animals are often vulnerable to the elements while on the move for food.
“I am proud of my cattle, so I always make sure that they have grazed and had water, but we often have to travel far for this, sometimes crossing roads,” he says, adding that this can be dangerous. He has lost animals to road accidents and infection in the past.
Veterinary care
However, when he joined the Elensogo farming group which is supported by ForAfrika, he was surprised to learn that he would have access to routine veterinary care. ForAfrika’s veterinary technician treated some of Toussaint’s injured and infected cattle earlier this year and advised him to safeguard his cattle by building an enclosure.
Since he did this, Toussaint has experienced fewer incidents of infection or injury and his livestock are doing very well.
“I am happy with what ForAfrika has done for us because we have learned good breeding practices and basic veterinary care so that we are not helpless when our animals get sick or injured. Thank you, please keep up the support!” he said.
Laurentine Nassy is Programme Officer in CAR