Vegetable project in Antioquia links crop health with local sales

A vegetable-production programme in Yalí, Antioquia, has combined phytosanitary training with practical trials of natural inputs and direct marketing, according to ICA. Eighteen rural women took part in seven technical visits covering family and community vegetable gardens.

Instead of focusing only on pest treatment, the programme tested different growing substrates. Mixtures containing Bocashi or organic fertiliser together with mycorrhizae and soil produced the best results for plant health and biomass, while uncomposted poultry manure and untreated control soils performed less well.

Training also covered biological pest monitoring, conservation of native seeds and preparation of inputs such as liquid biofertilisers, lime-sulphur mixture and botanical repellents. Produce not needed by participating households was sold through short local supply chains at agroecological fairs in Yalí.

source and photo: ica.gov.co