Monthly Progress Update:
At Leading Change Africa, our dedication lies in advancing sustainable conservation agricultural practices and fostering rural community development throughout Africa. Our committed team in West Africa is continuously achieving significant progress in crop cultivation, improving food security, and educating the upcoming generation of farmers.
Below is a summary of the month's activities and accomplishments:
Weeding and Fertilizing the Fields
This month, our team on the field successfully carried out a crucial weeding operation in our maize and okra fields. Using hoes, our team removed invasive weeds without disturbing the soil. The weeds were repurposed as mulch, carefully placed at the base of the plants to retain moisture and improve soil quality. We also fertilized our first maize crop with urea following the best practices taught by the Foundation for Farming. Each plant received the exact nutrients it needed to grow strong, contributing to the overall health and productivity of our crops.
Pest Control and Plant Protection
Our team took proactive measures to protect our crops from pests and diseases by applying phytosanitary treatments. This was especially critical for the cowpea, which faced heavy infestations of black aphids. The treatments, using Lambda Super 2.5 EC and Emacot, were applied with precision to ensure the crops remained healthy and resilient.
Developing Training Modules
One of our most exciting initiatives this month was the development of training modules aimed at empowering future generations of farmers as our training program starts in october soon. Through group discussions and collaborative meetings, both in-person and online, we finalized key training topics. These modules will be vital in scaling our impact and ensuring that local farmers have the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.
Video Capsules: A New Way to Educate
To expand the reach of our training, our Burkina Faso team has started creating educational video capsules. These videos, which will be available in both French and the local Mooré language, provide accessible, step-by-step instructions on sustainable farming techniques. This initiative will help farmers across the region adopt new methods more easily.
Key Achievements:
Positive growth in all crops, including the first cowpea pods and maize tasseling.
Development of training modules for local farmers.
Initiation of video capsules to document our progress and offer training.
Effective pest control measures and crop protection.
Challenges and Solutions
Despite our success, we faced a few challenges. Stray animals posed a threat to our crops, and poor road conditions during the rainy season made it difficult to transport goods.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, our focus for the coming month will be:
Continued maintenance of our crops (maize, cowpea, groundnut, soybean, Jack Bean, and okra).
Finalization of training modules in collaboration with our Mali partners.
Completion of video capsules for farming education and awareness.
Preparation and use of biopesticides.
Launch of an information campaign to engage local farmers.
Recruitment of students for training programs.
Acquisition of logistical support for group training sessions.
Simulation sessions for upcoming farmer training.
At Leading Change Africa, we empower youth through sustainable agriculture, preparing them for successful careers and instilling a sense of responsibility towards the environment and community. Our initiatives also benefit farmers by introducing innovative and sustainable agricultural techniques, improving productivity, increasing income, and building resilience to environmental challenges through training, mentorship, and access to resources.
Testimonials
The conservation agriculture technique, combined with the Foundations for Farming principles, has produced excellent results. Although we started a bit late, we are now ahead compared to the neighboring farmers' fields. The benefits have been clear: planting in pockets and furrows retains moisture, the fertilization method greatly boosts plant growth, and the organized workflow makes the tasks easier and less tiring. We're eagerly awaiting the harvest to see the full outcome.
— Team Member, Burkina Faso
I am extremely satisfied with the progress of our work. Our team in Mali is truly dynamic and dedicated to getting the job done. We faced some challenges at the beginning, but we tackled them head-on. We are confident that our production will be successful, and this program will be a triumph. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Leading Change for giving us this opportunity and for trusting us. We look forward to taking on future challenges.
— Team Member, Mali
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