On October 11-15, CNFA held the first of four weeklong workshops, entitled “Safe Use & Application of Pesticides,” in Kabul, Afghanistan. The training, part of the USAID-funded Afghanistan Farm Service Alliance (AFSA) project, brought together 35 participants, including area farmers, Farm Service Center (FSC) owners, operators and employees, agricultural extension agents, local Agricultural Directorate employees, educators, and others interested in the proper use of pesticides.

The workshop was conducted by an integrated pest management consultant, a local agronomist and 17 guest speakers. Trainers discussed a wide range of topics, including pesticide selection, transport, handling and storage, safe and appropriate equipment use, local and international laws and practices, and proper record-keeping. The workshop was designed to be a training-of-trainers event, so participants were also taught the best ways to teach the new methods to others.

To help participants train others, thus multiplying the impact of this much-needed workshop many times over, all training materials— take-home user instructions for pesticide users, flash cards and workshop presentations—were translated and delivered to participants in Pashtu, their local language. In addition, following the workshops all training materials will be made available by DVD to attendees and any other interested parties.

Haji Amir Jan, who attended the whole workshop, said, “This is the first workshop I have ever attended in which we have learned…that using pesticides could be harmful.” He went on to say, “We learned about the effects on the environment, livestock and agriculture; and about marketing and pesticide laws. We will definitely share this information with our fellow farmers, especially the younger farmers.”

He finished, saying, “The people of Helmand are very thankful to CNFA for arranging such training, and we are requesting more of these workshops, to reach more farmers in our area.”