Plot showing a combination of vegetables (tomato, okra, cucumber)

Since its launch in Chad in January 2015, the sub-regional project “Improving urban food security in Central Africa through a better availability of locally produced food (GCP/SFC/001/MUL)”, funded by the Africa Solidarity Trust Fund (ASTF), is progressing steadily.

Through the practice of organic farming and diversification of agricultural production in Chad, this FAO implemented project provides support to horticultural crop producers in the cities of N’Djamena and Moundou. Beneficiaries on the fields have received support in the form of tools, agricultural equipment, and certified seeds. With a training in making organic fertilizer (compost), in producing biopesticide (simple and complex) from extracts of locally available plants, and in hydro-agricultural operations, beneficiaries now have tools for a better horticulture plants production, so as to supply locally produced food and increase their income.

Thus, since the time they have received these trainings, the beneficiaries of the project in Chad are putting into practice what they have acquired and continue to tell their experiences on the advantages of these good practices which reduce the impacts of chemicals on the environment.

Preparation of compost pits

In Moundou, the second city chosen for the project in Chad, compost pits are prepared on three sites (Koutou, Taye and Torojo). The beneficiaries have realized the benefits of using compost to replace chemical fertilizers. Thus, they make savings by replacing mineral fertilizer with organic one. Already, 34 compost pits have been prepared in the city of Moundou and the compost obtained is used as fertilizer in gardening plots.

“I have been away when the training on compost making was given, but I saw the results with other producers and I would like the Project Coordination Team to put the necessary documentation at my disposal so that I make compost myself rather than continuing to buy green manure for my cabbage production”, said Mr Florent, organic cabbage producer in Taye, around Moundou.

Producing biopesticides

In addition to the production and use of compost, the beneficiaries in Moundou and N’Djamena are now using biological pesticides on their farms. They themselves produce simple biopesticides (from a single product) or complex ones (from several items) using garlic, onion, neem, tobacco, pepper and soap to fight against whiteflies (Bemisiatabaci) and aphids on vegetable crops.

“I thank FAO for the training on the production of biopesticides because I can treat my vegetables with them, and I can eat them the same day I harvest them. This is impossible when I treat them with chemicals. With biopesticides, we now have fewer diseases”, said a beneficiary of the project on the site of Taye in the city of Moundou.

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