30 participants were involved in the formation drawn from 5 local authorities (2 persons per district), 2 Catholic dioceses (2 persons), a queen mother (1 person), 1 Salesian Technical Institute (2 Agriculture teachers) and 1 Don Bosco Youth Protection/Development Centre (1 young person). Also, staff from 4 offices (4 persons) of Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) were part of the participants. 10 young people who are Mentor farmers were part of this training course.
The training gave a productive methods and knowledge on using plants and plants preparations (botanicals) to control pest in the farming and storage of crops. Also, many beneficial insects and organisms were identified so that farmers may not kill them when they are found on the farm. Parasitoids (organisms that feed on pests) were studied. Various methods of preparing the botanicals and multiplying beneficial organisms were studied. Other methods of preventing and controlling pests were part of the integrated approach of control pest without the use of inorganic pesticides. The participants have learnt the key effects and impacts on the indiscriminate use of pesticides on human health, sustainable production, beneficial insects, parasitoids and the environment.
The training focused on locally available materials and relevance. The training included classroom lecture, field identification and preparation of botanicals; testing of efficacy of organic preparations and control of pest in the greenhouse. The training was led by Prof. Daniel Obeng-Ofori (Vice Chancellor of Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre).
Don Bosco Youth Network West Africa is a member of Don Bosco Green Alliance.
Benson Osei-Savio Boateng
https://www.infoans.org/en/component/k2/item/8772#sigProIdc1ef4e5bf0
