2023-10-05 22:22:17
In Senegal, the population has adopted WhatsApp messaging for years, and so have farmers. They join many groups according to their cultures, or the peasant organizations of which they are part. Voice messages in local languages are widely used to exchange experiences or good practices. Everyone thus has access to information, including those who cannot read.
From our correspondent in Dakar,
« Hello farmers of Senegal! »
« We don’t have any fertilizer here in Kédougou, we’re still waiting. »
These messages now punctuate the WhatsApp groups of farmers in Senegal. Shared vocals in local languages such as Wolof or Pulaar are used daily by Senegalese farmers. “ It’s very important to put a vocal, the producer will be able to read it. Even agricultural news information in rural development “, boasts Niemna Diahite, corn producer and member of several producers’ WhatsApp groups.
Farmers also keep up to date with climatic conditions, for example with weather reports from the NGO Jokalante which are shared in these groups. They can also warn each other in the event of the arrival of invasive species. “ The example that circulates the most is really information on biopesticides, notes Absa Mbodj, coordinator of Dytaes (Dynamics for an agroecological transition in Senegal), a multi-actor platform which runs several WhatsApp groups for farmers interested in agroecology. The preparation methods come from products accessible to all producers (neem leaves, hedge leaves, soap, chili pepper, etc.). Sharing voice notes on the preparation of these biopesticides is a widespread practice that circulates quickly. »
Some members also share videos of their harvests or ask for help when they have difficulty selling their stocks like this okra farmer: “ The market is problematic. We are in our third harvest. »
For Raphaël Belmin, agronomist at CIRAD, the use of voice messages improves a failing territorial network: “ In Senegal, extension services do not have the capacity to reach all farmers. On a ratio of one extension agent per 10,000 farmers. In addition, these services are understaffed; they often do not have the means to go into the field. »
A final obstacle remains having a smartphone, which could create inequalities in access to information between farmers who have and those who do not.
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