Growth and Positive Change: The 2019 Regenerate Senegal Farming Conference
Of the many agricultural conferences held annually, one of the most compelling is the Regenerate Senegal Farming Conference, held this year July 7-13 in Kebemer, Senegal. This innovative event brings together a diverse group of international partners with local and West African farmers to share knowledge aimed at combating desertification and improving production agronomics and local sustainability. Terra Ingredients by AgMotion™ was honored to sponsor and participate, in association with Matter, a Minneapolis-based, project-focused NGO.
The Regenerate Senegal Farming Conference was held at the Gorgui Dieng Center for Agricultural Excellence, an agricultural laboratory in rural Kebemer, Senegal, and the Beer-Sheba Farm near M’bour, Senegal. The Beer-Sheba Project combines a sustainable agro-forestry program together with holistic training and an agricultural resource center for young Senegalese farmers. Workshop topics included Bringing Back The Forest (Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration), Farm Cooperative Models, Natural Pest Control, Water Conservation Techniques, and Post Harvest Handling.
As an advocate of farmers in the Sahel region of West Africa, Terra Ingredients was particularly pleased to be involved. Terra recently announced a commitment to make fonio, an ancient grain with a remarkable history in West Africa, more widely available through farmer-direct sourcing. Rolf Peters, President & CEO of AgMotion Inc. and Peter Carlson, Director at Terra Ingredients, took part in the event. They both witnessed the remarkable level of engagement and energy shared by all the attendees. “There were so many wonderful aspects,” Peter noted. “We enjoyed seeing participants in last year’s conference now stepping up as teachers, which speaks to the high potential this model has for other regions. The learning is truly valuable on a human level. We look forward to next year.”
