Senegal’s newly minted vegetable trial has proved to be very popular amongst our farmers, already exceeding our enrollment and savings goals! With over 50 farmers already part of our trial, the vegetable program has been designed to provide farmers with additional income during their traditionally low period of the dry season. It also starts at the right time for savings when farmers have money from their peanut harvest, and ends at a good time to earn a bit of income before the start of the really busy rainy season.
This year we chose five vegetables (okra, pepper, African eggplant, cabbage, tomatoes) which were sold as individual packets. This gave farmers the option to save for an individual 2500CFA  packet, or up to 12,500CFA for all five varieties. So far, myAgro farmers have saved for a total of over 100 packets, with peppers and African eggplant being the most popular.
Our farmers have been supported throughout the program with regular technical training. A recent training discussed how to make a low cost organic pesticide using soapy water, half an onion, one habanero type pepper and two cloves of garlic (pictured). Feedback from our farmers has been overwhelmingly positive – they like this pesticide as it is safe, effective and inexpensive, while also having easy access to all the ingredients.
We’re looking forward to sharing the results at the end of the season!
