Adventures in the Chocó part 4: How the workshops connected us to the community and the establishment of a long-term relationship by Karin Albornoz

Quibdó, Chocó region, Colombia

At the beginning of the project we were aware of some of the concerns and conditions we would going to face executing the aims of the postharvest workshops. However, after visiting the campesinas, we had a clearer idea of how to adjust the workshop contents to the reality of the farmers and villages.

We conducted two workshops with a week of separation, each of them on a Sunday, which is the time the campesinas regularly meet.

The first workshop took place on Sunday, December 4^th at the FUNBICHOCÓ Center of Excellence and ~25 people (male and female audience) attended. It consisted of a general overview of the concept of “postharvest”, the factors affecting the quality and shelf-life of fruit and vegetables once they are harvested, and how the farmers can use and take advantage of low-cost, affordable and accessible tools to reduce their produce losses during postharvest.

We designed a poster with the title of the project in both languages, English and Spanish.

We also provided the audience with graphic elements designed in a simple and practical vocabulary, including pictures and diagrams; packaging samples and fruit and vegetables demonstrations (using fruit from the local supermarket showing postharvest disorders).

From the beginning, we motivated people to participate in the workshop by actively asking questions, and that’s what really happened. We received several questions and got lots of feedback about the contents of the workshop.

The first workshop took place on December 4^th, 2016. Around 25 people (male and female farmers from Samurindó, Yuto and surrounding villages) attended. Our strategic allies, Dr. Adriana Parra and Fredrick Fox made the workshop possible by connecting us to the community and by facilitating the organization and logistics.

The second workshop was held on December 11^th and the main input for the topics covered was based on the meetings we had with the campesinas the week before. Postharvest losses of rice and corn are elevated due to the growth of fungi and insects. In order to provide the farmers with feasible solutions considering that refrigeration and industrial drying technologies are not feasible in this region, we introduced the “drying beads”, which is a technology that is increasingly spread in developing countries.  

The drying beads are a ceramic product made of aluminum silicates or “zeolites” that are thermic and mechanically stable. They have high water affinity and can absorb it from seeds, thus reducing their moisture content and extending their shelf-life (Image courtesy of Rhino Research, http://www.dryingbeads.org).

The workshop was focused on introducing this technology and carefully explaining its use. We selected 5 farmers to start conducting trials with their own harvested seeds and provided them with the all the necessary elements and accessories: the beads themselves, balances, oven thermometers, oven trays, hermetic containers, sealed plastic bags and moisture indicator paper strips.

Components of the drying beads kits were provided to the farmers, since some of them are difficult to find in the Chocó region.

Graphic materials containing the instructions to use the drying beads were designed using a simple language; and our strategic partner Fredrick Fox, learned how to use the system too, so he can provide guidance to the farmers in case they have trouble or doubts regarding their use.

The second workshop centered on hands-on training on using the zeolite beads for drying stored seeds.  Trials to standardize the method for the exceptionally humid conditions of the Chocó region will be conducted.

Farmers (from left to right) Chomba, Carlos, Alberto and Francisca receiving the drying bead kits to start conducting trials on their own seeds.

This workshop was the last activity of our time in the Chocó and several lessons were learned. We understood that in order to make a significant impact, a great amount of time needs to be invested in preparation of the materials and methodology of the training activities to be conducted. It is critical to adjust the contents to the reality and specifics of the community that you are going to be working with. Furthermore, it is not realistic to make a concrete impact if “you”, as “trainer”, are not validated or recognized by the community. Last, but not least, we realized that the communities have (in the words of our partner Frederick Fox) “their own rhythm”. Even though we planned almost every detail of the workshops, the time dynamics of the people cannot be forced. It is critical to develop long-term collaborative relationships when working with small-scale farmers in rural regions or developing countries, to target solutions to .

After our visit, we were so deeply touched by the people of Chocó; everyone we met inspired in us a strong commitment to keep working with them in the future.

Looking at our interaction with a new perspective, we understood that this was not the last day of our adventures in the Chocó, but the beginning of a long journey that we hope it can contribute to improve the wellbeing of their people.

Thanks.