Job Description
Farmers in Senegal are looking for ways to increase the productivity of field crops with new strategies and techniques, and you can lend a hand!
With well over a third of the population living below the poverty line, Senegal, like many of its regional neighbors, is affected by high rates of food insecurity and health vulnerability. Traditional agricultural practices, increasing temperatures, and coastal erosion are currently weakening the soil’s fertility and productivity. To address these challenges, local community growers work with smallholder family farmers to adopt improved crop cultivation technologies and practices. They also promote conservation agriculture, improved soil and water conservation, as well as improved post-harvest management. However, the local community growers require more help in building awareness and skills.
As a Sustainable Agriculture Agent, you will promote positive youth development and women’s economic stability. Alongside community members, you will share agricultural practices with youth clubs and women, giving them the tools to grow and manage gardens that yield diverse, nutritious foods for improved nutrition.
Required Skills
Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and 4 years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Desired Skills
All candidates who meet the required skills are encouraged to apply. Additional skills that may make you a more competitive candidate include:
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Living Conditions
All Volunteers live with host families, which creates a sense of belonging and helps with integration. Many Volunteer homes do not have electricity and get their water from a community pump or well. Volunteers will be placed in the arid northern regions, including St. Louis, Thies, Diourbel, and Louga; more temperate central regions of Fatick and Kaolack; and tropical regions south of the Gambia River, including Sediou and Kolda.
Activities
Develop partnerships with farmer associations, non-governmental organizations, and other local institutions.
Promote locally sustainable sources of improved seed varieties.
Facilitate youth clubs and agriculturally focused student groups.
Introduce food processing techniques to increase income and reduce food loss.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as establishing fruit tree orchards and facilitating English conversational clubs.
Training
As a Sustainable Agriculture Agent, you will be trained on the promotion of improved seeds, gardening best practices, and agricultural product transformation. You will be introduced to a variety of soil fertility amendment and water conservation techniques. Peace Corps/Senegal will teach you Wolof, Pulaar, Sereer, or Mandinka to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on the participatory analysis for community action methodology. After 3 months at site, you will receive additional technical training tailored to your needs based on the results of your community assessments.
Job Highlights
Learn a local language, such as Wolof, Pulaar, Sereer, or Mandinka, from skilled Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators.
Gain valuable, hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture at a grassroots level.
Experience the warm and welcoming culture of Senegal.
