Zondoma/Agriculture: An Association Trains Producers in the Manufacture of Bio-Pesticides.

Zondoma: In order to strengthen their resilience, producers in the commune of Gourcy were introduced to the production and use of bio-pesticides. This training, organized by the Association Monde Rural (AMR), was held on November 22 and 23, 2024, in Gourcy. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host populations in the commune of Gourcy benefited from this initiative, which is part of the implementation of the Sahel Community Recovery and Stabilization Project (PCRSS).According to Burkina Information Agency, the main objective of the activity was to strengthen the resilience capacities of the beneficiaries through the promotion of sustainable and ecological agriculture. The session was divided into two main stages. First, participants were made aware of the benefits of bio-pesticides and their positive impact on the environment, while highlighting the dangers associated with the use of chemical pesticides. "Synthetic pesticides pose dangers to humans, animals, soil and the environment," explaine d Ozonan Bassia, agricultural specialist and training facilitator.Several participants confirmed these statements through testimonies reporting cases of poisoning, animal deaths, and the appearance of diseases. The second stage was devoted to the practical formulation of several types of bio-pesticides, made from natural ingredients such as neem leaves, seeds and oil, alcohol, garlic, onion, ginger, soap, and chilli. A demonstration of the techniques of use also took place in a garden selected for this purpose.In addition to Gourcy, the commune of Ouahigouya also benefited from the same training. Participants were made aware of other issues, including gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. In total, 200 people took part in these activities, organized within the framework of the PCRSS. This project, an initiative of the Burkinabe State in collaboration with the World Bank, aims to support the resilience of populations affected by the security crisis, particularly in th e North, Centre-North, and Sahel regions.