Senegal
Master Farmers
Learn about our Master Farmer Program
Select master farmers receive the instruction, funding, and ongoing support from PCVs to develop one hectare of farmland to demonstrate best practices with field crops, gardening, fruit trees, and natural resource management. The manifest success of these combined practices on one farm by an enthusiastic Senegalese farmer create an effective demonstration and inspiration for other farmers to adapt the practices as well. Master farmers hold two open field days a year where they demonstrate their techniques and train visiting farmers.
Currently there are 23 master farmers. Over the next four years, 100 farmers, coming from all targeted regions, will become master farmers through the Peace Corps Senegal Food Security Initiative.
Training for pilot farmers includes distribution of improved seed, soil amendments, proper spacing, timely weeding and harvest, integrated pest management, and seed storage for both consumption and sowing next year’s crop. Volunteers also train farmers in improved natural resource management through agroforestry and propagating fruit trees. This enhances the the existing project plans of the Sustainable Agriculture and Agroforestry sectors.
