• Publié le : 26-12-2024

  • Type : Projet

The Professional Specialty Certificat (PSC) in agro-ecology presented on November 21 in Fatick is part of a regional initiative to promote sustainable agriculture. The initiative was led by the Professional Training Center (PTC) in Diourbel, with the support of several organizations including Agrisud. 

More than twenty regional CFPs were present at the event to discover the new certification and enrich their training offer.

A targeted response to local challenges

Conceived within the framework of the Interdepartmental Plan for Sustainable Agriculture (PIAD), the PSC in agroecology aims to respond to specific challenges in the Fatick and Diourbel regions : 

  • Sustainable agriculture: develop agricultural practices adapted to the environmental (soil salinity, drought, etc.) and socio-economic challenges in this area. 
  • Job creation: encouraging entrepreneurship and upgrading agricultural professions.
  • Training young people: boosting skills and offering training tailored to local needs. 

These actions, implemented with the support of Agrisud, are supported by the Entente interdépartementale de Fatick-Diourbel and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region as part of a decentralized cooperation program.

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Training adapted to local realities

The PSC agro-ecology reference system, recognized by the Senegalese Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training, was developed by a multidisciplinary team of educators and agro-ecology experts, including Agrisud.  

This short 6-month training course is designed to give young people access to a rewarding qualification. The apprenticeship, which is more practical than theoretical and focuses on agro-ecology, provides a solid basis for starting up an entrepreneurial activity in agriculture or continuing their studies.

Promising results 

The first training session, held in 2022, certified 22 young people. Two of them shared their experiences at the event : 

« Beyond the technical aspects, this training helped me realize the importance of focusing on sustainability with agro-ecology, rather than on immediate solutions based on the use of chemical products. » Khadim Diop, young entrepreneur. 

Today, two years after his certification, Khadim's farm is performing well, he has created two jobs and acquired new land to expand his activities. He is committed to promoting agro-ecology in his community.

As for Abdou Ndiaye : « The PSC enabled me to understand the role of agro-ecology in the fight against climate change. I wanted to know more, to go further, which is why I decided to continue my studies in a bachelor's degree program. » 

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Ambitious perspectives 

Although limited to an initial regional experiment, the PSC in agro-ecology paves the way for extension to other regions, in response to issues shared by the country :  

« Improving agro-ecology training in Senegal is a major challenge, in perfect harmony with current national policy in favor of this discipline.» Made Diouf, DyLAET* representative. 

However, its sustainability and possible extension will depend on the resources and support provided to the training centers. The Secretary General of the Fatick Departmental Council, Mr. Babacar Ndiaye, called for greater mobilization of the authorities in this direction.

*DyLAET : local representation of DyAETS (Dynamics for an agro-ecological transition in Senegal).

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Agrisud's contribution to professional training  

For over 30 years, Agrisud has been making the most of the knowledge and field experience it has acquired in some twenty countries around the world. This knowledge is made available on its Digital Resource Center: a free online platform enabling everyone to learn about and train in sustainable agriculture.