I would like to share how my Winrock International USAID-funded Farmer to Farmer (F2F) volunteer assignment was one of much excitement and full of very rewarding humbling experiences. One experience stands out as a professional one that led to a career culminating experience for me that I would like to share in this blog. The experience deals with my career as an irrigation agronomist/horticulturist of 42 years (1975-2017), which concentrated on “drip irrigation technology” in developed and developing countries. My initial career path in drip irrigation technology started in 1975 with my research at Virginia Tech as a Ph.D. student in the Department of Horticulture doing research on the development and use of drip irrigation on tomatoes in Western Virginia. The drip system that I was using to irrigate the tomato plants with was developed and provided for my research by Mr. Richard Chapin of Chapin Watermatics, considered to be the “Father of Drip Irrigation” in the United States.

My drip irrigation career took me to developing drip systems for bananas and pineapples in Honduras, Costa Rica, and Hawaii with Dole Foods, working with commercial drip irrigation vegetable growers in Florida. In addition, I was involved in agricultural development projects with USAID and USDA where drip irrigation for fruit and vegetable growers was emphasized in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Guinea, Senegal, and finally- in Bangladesh. The drip irrigation projects that I was involved in were not all success stories. One in particular failed in 1987 in six months after I departed the country, due to the end of the development project I was serving on. Failure occurred because there was not a dealer network for drip irrigation supplies and technical support. This failure haunted me for a long time. The training experience with Winrock International in March-April 2017 has left me very excited and encouraged about the drip irrigation systems. I used Mr. Chapin’s drip tape that was installed by the Thanarbaid banana growers in the Madhupur Upazila of Tangail District in Bangladesh through the auspices of Shalom (formerly Church of Bangladesh Social Development Programme-CBSDP and their Youth Beneficiary Group). Drip irrigation success in Bangladesh is assured via dedicated banana farmers, Winrock International, USAID, and partner, ACI Agribusiness, who works with Jain Irrigation of India, a key supplier of drip irrigation technology, including Chapin drip tape. What a rewarding experience it was to culminate my drip irrigation career knowing that drip irrigation technology in Bangladesh will thrive and serve as a food security tool to help feed the people of Bangladesh.

Dr. Kovach working with the banana farmers to connect the tubes through the bottom of the bucket to the irrigation tape.

Dr. Kovach with banana farmers over the Chapin Drip Irrigation Tape. Note the dark circles next to the black drip tape where water has come out of the water emitting orifices and began to wet the soil to supply water to the banana plants.

Chapin Bucket Drip Irrigation System supplying water to the two black drip tubes next to the banana plants. The major advantage to using drip irrigation versus the traditional irrigation method of flooding the field is in water savings, where 50% less water is needed to irrigate banana crops.

Dr. Kovach observes one of the participants pouring urea mixed water into the buckets to provide plants with water and fertilizer through the Chapin Bucket Drip system in the orchard.

Over two decades, farm owner David Pearce has completed 45 volunteer assignments in 15 countries for Winrock International, most often with the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program. A recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award and the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance “Volunteer of the Decade” award (honorable mention), Pearce is a dedicated and dynamic volunteer who has made countless, lasting connections with beneficiaries and staff around the world. Recently, after a three year hiatus from volunteering, Pearce added a new country, Nigeria, and two assignments to his already countless number of volunteer assignments.

“My first assignment took me to a moderate city (750,000) Saki, Oyo State Nigeria.  That’s as many folks in one city as in the State of North Dakota- where I call home.  The mission was to teach about cooperative formation and leadership, keeping records and creating the Chart of Accounts and a Journal Ledger, then to write a manual that might be used to train in future cooperative members and other entrepreneurs.

In total, about 90 participants attended the four days of workshops, with vast difference in background of education & training. To keep them engaged and involved was a challenge.  Three take-a-ways: 

1) At the start of the training we purchased a small MTN 4GLTE Internet HotSpot ($20)– it worked like a gem allowing me real time access to YouTube video (actually finding one of Nigerian Shea Orign, LTD).  Video ascends the lecture mode and involves nearly 100% of the audience.  I was able to search and find several resources, often in a language, my audience could understand- and then because of another’s insight and foresight to video and YouTube present them via battery powered laptop- how powerful to share and demo the possibilities. 

 

2)  Because of cameras, laptops, and telephones, we were able to display much of the group work done within small group interaction.  Power was sometimes sporadic- but we capitalized on the opportunities. 

 

3)  As a means of review- the final day of the training- we had “TRAINERS” within the group, volunteer and select chapters of the manual – the manual I was to prepare as a part of the overall workshop.  The trainers then used the manual as an outline and review present the key areas we’d covered all week.  It provided both a great review of the material presented, demonstrated alternative presentation techniques, incorporated cultural chants- but most importantly- a translation and interpretation into what had been shared and learned during our week together.  It was most affirming!  We ended the workshop with the presentation of certificates and a lunch!

 

 

In my second assignment, I worked with the Network for Agricultural and Technical Education in Nigeria (NATEN), a recently formed Board and at the recommendation of two prior F2F volunteers (Ms. Leslie Cosgrove and Prof. Chris Igodan), were an Organization and Group Dynamics Workshop was held at one of the member institutions.  I had the opportunity to shape and deliver a three-day interactive meeting with 5 of the 7 board members and 6 additional faculty and administrative staff.  I had four expected deliverables: 1) Provide an opportunity for the members to get to know themselves better- thus enabling higher levels of TRUST and team spirit, 2) provide an introduction to the network, its vision, mission, goals, and programs, and to enable every member to function within the same framework and with the same understanding and commitment.  3) Conduct training on procedures of meetings, documentation, and record keeping.  4) Design a training manual for the board to use to train future members of the network.  In the course of the three days- we did that.  After the training, I received a “heartwarming” letter from one of the participants within 24 hours of the training.”

 

Fish farming, beyond other agriculture activities, is practiced by youth as a main source of income in Nepal. Gaining skills on improved management practices like water quality management and learning to adjust inputs based on pond fertilization results, can lead to decreases in fish mortality rates, and thus diminish economic losses for youth-led businesses.

F2F volunteer, Dr. Hugh Thomforde earned his PhD in Fisheries Management from Auburn University and was an  Aquaculture Extension Specialist for 17 years at the University of Arkansas. He recently returned from a rewarding assignment in Nepal where he worked with youth from the Sahodar Agriculture Cooperative to improve their fish pond management skills.

“The Secchi disk is a low-tech tool to assist fish producers in making management decisions regarding feeding, fertilizing, and water quality. Members of Sahodar Agricultural Cooperative at Shiktahan Village in southern Nepal were introduced to this device on the first day of training. Ms. Pabita Dewi Chaudary went home and made one from found materials. She used a novel method. She molded cement in a bowl for the bulls-eye base, with an old flag pole set vertically in the middle for the handle. These photos were taken the next morning. We see Shailesh Gurung of Tribhuvan University coaching Ms. Chaudary (foreground) and Ms. Taru as they learn how to use this tool to measure phytoplankton density.”

“The livestock pen shown below was built by Ram Kumar Tharu, Chairperson of the Sahodar Agriculture Cooperative on March 8th, showing quick implementation of one of my recommendations. Animal waste will drop directly into the pond, providing fertilizer to plankton and supplemental feed to carps. It is the first of its kind in the area. The photo came via Shailesh Gurung, who says other cooperative members will monitor the results closely.”

When I initially read the notice about Winrock International needing a volunteer to teach pesticide safety and IPM; I got excited immediately. I teach people who want to become urban pest management professionals as well as continuing education credits (CEUs) for existing applicators in multiple states. In addition, I also give community talks about insect biology, IPM for consumers and environmental awareness. Of all that I do, my greatest joy comes from consulting with industry colleagues in agriculture and urban pest management.

Upon arrival, the night of January 29, my driver greeted me as though I was an old friend, even though it was my very first time to Guinea and my first time ever seeing him. Alpha took my bags and drove me to my hotel and made sure I was settled in my room before leaving me to get some rest. But how could I rest when my mind was in overdrive at the fact that I was actually in Guinea (Africa)? How could I rest with knowing that tomorrow would bring new acquaintances, new sights, sounds and new flavors? It was difficult but I finally drifted off. In the morning, the Country Director of Winrock International (Guinea), Ibrahima Diallo (Ibro), walked in to greet me and collect me. We talked and become familiar as we drove through the congested streets of Conakry towards the office of the Minister of National Plant Protection, which was the first stop of the morning.

Ibro made the necessary introductions and the Minister and his staff shook my hand and welcomed me into the country saying, “You are home, be comfortable.” “WOW,” is all that I could think as we departed the building. The next morning, we traveled to Kindia. As we drove the sites of the city fascinated me. The vibrant colors of the clothing, the barrage of yellow Renault Taxi cars and the swarm of motor taxi bikes was greedily taken in by my eyes. The longer we drove the more calming became. I was mesmerized at the mountains on the horizon but had no clue that would be our final destination.

After a steep climb in our vehicle, we arrived to the small town of Kindia after driving through two three other small towns. My first sights including free roaming goats, chickens and few domestic animals like dogs and cats. The second thing I noticed were the fields of crops as well as banana and mango trees. As we drove deeper into Kindia the road side fruit and vegetable stands excited me. Seeing the vibrant colors of the corn, peppers and mangos were an absolute treat. On the first day of training, I was nervous as a schoolboy on the first day at a new school. As the participants filed into the classroom, I became very intimidated because this was not a group of young inexperienced growers. Many were my elders and I knew from coarse handshakes that they had worked agriculture longer than I had been alive. A fear of inadequacy took over me, “What could I really teach these specialists?” My thinking was that I should be the one sitting with paper, pen and focused on every word they could offer me to help me become more efficient. As I began to share my knowledge, I transitioned my presentation from teaching inexperienced farmers to helping fellow colleagues with techniques to share with clients. Marines have this saying, “We adapt and overcome any obstacle and situation.” As they days passed, the participants and I dialogued and shared our experiences to gain a greater understanding. What we all discovered together is that people who are passionate about agriculture, no matter what region of the world we are from, have the same heart. We also share the same struggles and strive for the same goals. Even as agricultural extension agents we all face the same hurdles when it comes to educating clients, communities and government officials in the ways of pesticide safety concerning human health and maintaining a sustainable environment. We all agreed that we could only change the world one person at a time. I shared with them a saying my deceased father shared with me, “Don’t let what you cannot do, hinder what you can do.” And with that thought resonating in their minds, we forged through to our first exercise and class assignment.

The night before the last day of our sessions was a bit somber for me. In just eight days I had become extremely attached to my new friends and colleagues. I missed my family greatly but I equally knew that I would miss this group of professionals. On the last day, we all had smiles of accomplishment but there was an underlying sorrow that made its way to the surface at the end of the certificate ceremony. Holding back my own tears as others could not, I solemnly promised that I would return as soon as possible. The next morning as we drove away to descend down the mountain, I sat quietly reflecting on this once in a lifetime experience. I hope that what I have shared benefits not only the attending participants but the next generation as well.I humbly thank Winrock International, USAID, and Farmer-to-Farmer for allowing me this opportunity. I thank the extension agents, government and university officials for trusting me to share my knowledge and experience. But most of all I thank the people of Guinea, Kindia especially, for accepting me into their community and sharing their culture so freely.

Dr. Billye Foster, Professor of Agriculture at Tennessee Tech University recently returned from her first Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer trip with Winrock in Guinea. She worked with faculty and staff to improve administration of agriculture schools. During her trip, Dr. Foster kept a journal. Today’s blog is an excerpt from a day in Tolo.

After spending Saturday in Dalaba, we started back to Mamou by way of Tolo. Our primary goal was to visit the school in Tolo, which the Belgians began in 1932. The school houses 105 students, all who work on the farm or at the school as well as attend class. We stopped at the home of one of the two women in our workshop and both she and the Director were there with our lunch prepared. It is so strange because most of the food is made of things I’ve never heard of, yet there are pieces of things I grew up with.

Today, instead of rice, we had fonio (looks like mini rice and tastes like grits) and something called Cassava Tot—it had the consistency of really sticky cream of wheat but was made from Cassava flour and fonio and water. Of course this was all to be covered with the Sauce. Today’s sauce was creamy in appearance but was made of okra, peanuts, dried fish and spice! I wouldn’t have even known there was fish in it if they hadn’t told me. But you have to understand they literally beat the life out of the ingredients with wooden sticks and bowls. Then they cook it, then they beat it all again. There was no dairy of any kind in the sauce, but all that beating made it creamy.

This was all prepared by hand and cooked over a fire. The men in the group praised it highly (as they should have) and noted girls in the cities just didn’t know how to cook good food like this. We had papaya for dessert and then took the farm tour. This place is so remote you wonder how even 100 students found it, and although most of the buildings are in need of repair, they have a viable poultry system going. The students do almost all the labor and I have some great shots of the brooder house and the laying barn. But the next item on the agenda gave new insight to my perspective.

The woman who hosted our lunch works in the school’s administration, but also farms as most of the women here do. She has formed a group of women farmers and I was taken to their cooperative field and met by them straight from the field. They came to me singing and clapping and were so happy to see me! And I realized they were the same women I had seen cooking our lunch over open flame in the home’s yard. I got out of the jeep and met them clapping to their music. When they were close they surrounded me and started dancing, so naturally I joined in—we became fast friends and I agreed to serve as a long-distant advocate and advisor.

It was a very humbling experience. When you watch how hard these women work it is mind-boggling. Most are much younger than they look, and it is not uncommon to see them in the field or wherever—working hard with a baby strapped to their back. And sometimes these children are up to 2 or 3 years old. It is like a perpetual take your child to work program. They cultivate and plant by hand and clear with machetes like men. They sweep their floors with hand brooms made of thick, long grass of some type. I asked why their brooms don’t have handles and they looked at me like I was crazy.

I do not know how they do it all. The house work, including laundry by hand, the cooking—which is an all-day event, not to mention farming and childcare are heavy labor in this world.