In July 2024, PELUM Eswatini, in collaboration with ACAT, conducted an impactful two-day training session aimed at equipping 10 extension officers with a solid foundation in sustainable agriculture. This session focused on agroecological principles and practices, emphasizing their importance in promoting environmental resilience, food security, and healthier ecosystems within the Eswatini context.
Understanding Agroecology Participants delved into the core principles of agroecology, such as diversity, efficiency, recycling, resilience, and social equity. These principles were contrasted with conventional farming methods, helping the officers comprehend how sustainable agricultural practices can effectively address the ecological and agricultural challenges faced by smallholder farmers in their communities.
Transition Frameworks and Techniques The training also explored the transition from conventional farming to agroecology. This included integrating concepts like Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), organic farming, and permaculture. Such knowledge equips the extension officers with tools to assist farmers in gradually shifting to more sustainable practices, tailored to their specific environmental and socio-economic conditions.
Key Outcomes: The training resulted in several significant outcomes, including:
Enhanced Understanding: A deeper grasp of agroecological principle
Practical Knowledge: Improved skills in sustainable farming techniques.
Participatory Engagement: The ability to engage effectively with farmers using participatory approaches.
This training marks, a significant step towards building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future for Eswatini. With ongoing learning and adaptation, these extension officers are now better equipped to support smallholder farmers in adopting agroecological practices.