I should have written this about two months ago, but after filling out many grant reports and looking through survey answers I could not make myself write about the fair anymore. Then the Peace Corps newsletter wheedled another article out of me, so finally I can say I posted a run-down of the Kolda Regional Ag Fair
 |
| Castration! |
Beneath the blazing late April sun, myself and 3 fellow Peace Corps volunteers along with work partners and collaborators USAID Wula Nafaa and Catholic Relief Services put together
the second edition of the Kolda agricultural fair.
Artisans, projects and
individuals from throughout Senegal came to either present their projects and
products or sample the assorted offerings of the regional Fair. The
three-day expo featured over 75 local organizations and individual expositors,
including artisanal food producers, NGO's, credit unions, artists, women's
groups, and agricultural producers.
The weekend was a mixture of a county fair back in
the states and a large networking event. People were showing off their large
animals, musical performances took place every couple of hours at the ‘center
stage’, and almost every little kid had sticky hands (except this was because of beignets and
not cotton candy). But while people wandered about the booths and tents buying anything
from peanut butter to solar panels they also exchanging ideas and contact
information with one another. There were honey makers, peanut butter cookies, artisnal
soap makers, batik artisans, a cheese and yogurt producer, painters and wood
carvers,
confiture sellers, juice makers, fence makers, urban gardening
experts, and many other groups. Many PCVs from throughout the country came to
support the project and display their work, including solar fruit drying,
seramine production, livestock banding, and grain-grinding technology.
 |
| Adjoint gov. checking out local peanut butter |
Kolda is Senegal's second-largest agricultural
producer, yet is one of the poorest regions in the country. There are many
entrepreneurs in Kolda who specialize in value-added agricultural products,
such as moringa powder, dried coconut, and delicious yogurts and cheeses, but
there is no strong network for these people to expand their businesses. These passionate
and hard working artisan groups and collectives in Kolda have little
opportunity to attract new customers. Further, banks, credit unions, and NGO
assistance are available to small producers in the region, yet not enough people
understand or take advantage of these opportunities. Besides showcasing the
‘Richesse du Fouladou,’ this year’s fair expanded beyond the region of Kolda to
welcome innovators from around the country in the hopes of further inspiring
new ideas in Kolda and expanding the networks of clients and partnerships for
local producers.
 |
| Peace Corps foire team |
The fair began last year in the hopes of showing
not only the potential of the region, but how people were making that potential
a profitable reality. The fair continued in 2012 holding to this spirit of
innovation and sharing this year by providing a venue for public exposure for
artisans and entrepreneurs, inspire collaboration and innovation-sharing
between vendors, stimulate economic activity and celebrate pride in the region.
Building on the efforts of the 2011 fair, PCVs Marcie Todd (Urban Agriculture,
2010-2012), Lisa Riggs (Community Enterprise Development, 2011-2013), Jordan
Levinson (Urban Agriculture, 2011-2013) and Alex Howard (Health, 2011-2013)
along with their work partners from the Association pour la Valorisation de
Gombo du Fouladou (AVGF), Catholic Relief Services and USAID Wula Nafaa held a
three-day fair at the Conseil Regional in Kolda. But our team was not limited
to PCVs and work partners. The fair would not have been possible without the
hardwork and beaming smiles of 20 young Koldois who served as security and
hostesses for the fair. Hostessses guided attendees around the fairgrounds, served
lunch to presenters and staff all three days. The traditional dishes cooked
on-site by a team of local women featured funyo on day one followed on day two
by USAID’s new Riz Nerica variety and finished with a classic ceeb u jen.
Our team was not the only thing that grew in 2012.
We managed to expand on the guest list from last year with almost 300 expositors
in attendance this year. Another 300-400 members of the public passed through
the fairgrounds over the duration of the event. Participants were not limited
to just wandering the many booths and tents, but were able to connect through
more formal exchanges. The main tent was active all day, with panel
discussions, demonstrations, performances, and a daily installment of the youth
talent contest. Music, both live and electronic, played throughout both days,
and MC’s provided constant ‘animation.’
Attendees were encouraged to attend demonstrations such as alternative
castration techniques or moringa beignets as well as panel discussions. In the
hopes of improving the community building and sharing aspects of the fair, the
team included panels on natural resource management, community microfinance and
the role of youth in development that featured local projects and government
leaders.
Another improvement upon the work of 2011 was the
inclusion of Kolda’s youth in the fair. We wanted to encourage participation
beyond the usual sampling, like my host brother who came to snack on peanut
butter cookies and creamy yogurt only. This was done by visiting the local
schools and encouraging participants in a city wide talent contest. A
preliminary talent contest was held the month before the fair in collaboration
with the local youth center, which helped start generating buzz around the
fair. Finalists then competed during the three-day fair for prizes as well as
bragging rights among their friends.
Overall, participants and
team members agreed that the second edition was even more impressive than the
first. The fair team itself was greatly expanded, incorporating more Senegalese
partners and PCVs. This was an asset to creative planning and division of
labor. The fair generated a great deal of community ‘buzz’ both in Kolda and
surrounding areas, and the expanded program and longer duration were both
hailed as successful. Participants reported overall that they were very
satisfied with the fair, though they did not sell as much as they had hoped to.
However, we don’t have it quite right yet. The team made many improvements over
the 2011 fair, but also noted further changes to make in following years. Firstly
we need to schedule the fair at the beginning of the month, when community
members have more disposable income available. Consider scheduling the fair
earlier in the year, rather than at the peak of hot season when the Kolda sun
can be plain brutal.
Community members are
excited and planning for next year’s fair, and that this event is becoming a
fixture of Fouladou pride.
For
more photos check out the Facebook album, you don't need an account to access.
amadan is upon is! Tomorrow or the day after starts a 29 or 30 day fast (depends on the moon) where you don't eat or drink from sunrise to sunset.
