Fostering Agricultural Excellence and Innovation for Seychelles
In a world where the landscape of agriculture is evolving rapidly, adaptation and innovation have become the key to success for farming communities around the globe. Galilee Institute, renowned for its expertise in professional agricultural training showcases the transformative potential of tailor-made courses by collaborating closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment of Seychelles.
In June 2023, GIMI created a tailor-made course on Horticulture and Irrigation that precisely catered to the training requirements of a delegation of private farmers and farmers associations from Seychelles. The objective was to enhance participants' knowledge and skills in sustainable agricultural practices.
The programme included lectures on topics such as intensive vegetable production in open fields and protected structures, sustainable crop management, desertification prevention, IPM strategies, postharvest techniques, and integrated pest management strategies.
The participants visited various farms and research centres, gaining valuable knowledge and practical insights into innovative farming techniques and adaptation to changing climate conditions.
The carefully designed course aligned perfectly with the Ministry's specified needs. We spoke to the head of the delegation, Mrs. Sandra Sinon, to find out her perspective on this experience.
Mrs Sandra Sinon: A Visionary Leader in Agricultural Transformation
At the heart of this successful training project is Mrs Sandra Sinon, the Chief Extension Officer in the Extension Services of the Agriculture Department within the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment.
Her overall responsibility is to oversee the proper functioning of the whole division. This entails the provision of a wide range of technical assistance in all the agricultural strategies and programmes in place.
“I participate directly in the field of agronomy, plant protection, natural resources management, horticulture, pesticide management and project management. It is also my role to facilitate, coordinate, promote, monitor, and provide advisory services to the farmers and other stakeholders,” she explains.
Sandra Sinon was selected to represent the Department of Agriculture as the head of the delegation to Israel, “The training was to enhance my knowledge of new technologies in agriculture that have the potential to facilitate and increase agricultural crop production, faced with the challenges posed by climate change.”
She believes that the training also provided the appropriate platform to establish a network of contacts for possible training for other staff of the department and to establish contact for new sources of agricultural technologies of relevance for Seychelles.
Tailored Training: Addressing Precise Challenges
The tailor-made course designed by Galilee Institute provided Sandra and her colleagues with an unparalleled opportunity to explore solutions that were directly relevant to the unique challenges they face in the Seychelles. “With the change in climate pattern, agriculture in Seychelles faces many challenges, such as hot and dry periods, which affect the irrigation water availability. Pest and diseases also pose major challenges to the farming community”, she explains. Galilee Institute addressed these issues in this training.
Learning from Experience: Impactful Study Tours
The training zeroed in on these crucial areas of irrigation technologies and integrated pest management (IPM).
“The training on IPM, presented some possible solutions, including the use of natural enemies, an area which will be beneficial for Seychelles, as we encourage sustainable farming”.
Sandra also highlights the significance of the irrigation technologies module of the training. With Seychelles grappling with irregular water availability due to climate fluctuations, adopting efficient irrigation systems was of paramount importance.
Israel excels in the field of drip irrigation and participants gained insights into various irrigation technologies that align with Seychelles' conditions. This up to date knowledge will empower Sandra to make informed decisions on selecting appropriate technologies for the Seychelles farming community, reducing water wastage while ensuring uniform water distribution across plants.
An equally remarkable study tour took place at Baqa al-Gharbiyye, where visitors could watch the cultivation of tropical vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers under shade houses utilizing fertigation systems. For Sandra, this visit brought to light the technology's potential, “The farmers showed great interest in this technology, which had been adopted in Seychelles over 20 years ago, but faced some challenges, with regards to the type of drip system that was in use.” She recognized the need for an improved fertigation system that would further enhance crop production.
Empowering Future Agriculture: A Personal and Professional Journey
Sandra's journey through Galilee Institute's tailor-made training was not only professionally enriching but personally transformative as well.
“The tour has been a great experience for me, on the professional aspect, as the subjects covered were relevant to my line of work and challenges being faced by the farming community. Knowledge gained from the training will be used to improve the way agriculture is being carried out in Seychelles.
The Holy Land experience was also a special experience on a personal level. I really appreciated the opportunity to discover the rich history of Israel.“
The comprehensive training addressed her organization's specific needs, providing her with valuable insights and skills that are directly applicable to her role as Chief Extension Officer.
The training's impact will ripple through the Seychelles' agriculture sector. By equipping Sandra and her colleagues with the knowledge and tools to revolutionize irrigation practices and pest management, The Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment of Seychelles and Galilee Institute have contributed to the larger mission of fostering sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.
Embracing the Tailor-Made Solution: A Model for Success
Sandra's endorsement of tailor-made courses resonates strongly with the success of this collaboration. For organizations seeking targeted solutions to their training needs, she thinks that Galilee Institute's expertise and experience in creating precisely adapted courses are invaluable.
As Sandra attests, “The tailor-made course, addressed the specific needs of the Seychelles farming community. So, for me personally, this type of course is important and relevant. I will highly recommend tailor-made courses, especially for extension and research officers in Seychelles.”
Galilee Institute's tailor-made approach exemplifies the future of professional training - a future where organizations can craft learning experiences that directly align with their objectives.
We thank Sandra for her precious collaboration on this article and hope to hear about the successful projects that she will surely continue to lead.
