Various agro-ecological farming equipment were remitted to four farmers of the region of La Laura under the ‘Smart Agriculture Project’. The aim of the project which is to reduce the use of pesticides and insecticides to ensure better quality and safer production of fruits and vegetables, as well as to protect the environment. The adverse impacts of the exposure of pesticides on both the environment and our health, while underlining the alarming spike in cases of cancers.
Pesticides and insecticides have been used by farmers to deal with the challenges that tropical countries face in terms of weather conditions, as well as prevalence of pests and diseases. The shift to agro-ecological production systems will necessitate a gradual transition.
The Covid-19 pandemic has underlined the crucial need to boost local food production systems and strengthen food security so as to decrease reliance on imports. The country is bestowed with fertile soil and favourable climate conditions for agriculture and planters should avail themselves of governmental facilities and consider the cultivation of tropical plants such as avocado and breadfruit.