Education on natural pesticides

Many of the agricultural communities on the Andean Highlands suffer from plagues that threaten the harvest of different crops. With this threat, also food supplies for the communities are at stake. Communities often lack the knowledge to counter these plagues in a safe and sustainable manner. Many of the agricultural communities on the Andean Highlands suffer from plagues that threaten the harvest of different crops. With this threat, also food supplies for the communities are at stake. Communities often lack the knowledge to counter these plagues in a safe and sustainable manner.

Chakana informs the communities on fighting the plagues in a natural way, using organic pesticides. This Sunday, Chakana visited the community of Uypaca in Achocalla. Participating farmers, men and women, gathered in the community centre to listen to a theoretical introduction on pesticides. On the basis of insects and larvae, brought by some of the farmers, information was given on the life cycles of the insects and the way they feed. This knowledge is important to determine the right moment and form to fight the plagues. Because of the negative impact for the soil associated with chemical pesticides, Chakana chooses to work solely with natural pesticides.

After the lunch, farmers were set to work, making different kinds of insecticides. Several organic products were made on the basis of affordable or locally obtainable ingredients, such as unions, peppers, garlic, herbs etc. This process produces a strong concentrate, which is long-term maintainable.   

The sharing of knowledge should result in an effective fight of the plagues, without negatively affecting the quality of the soil. This will contribute to a higher production of harvest while the earth is treated in a sustainable manner.