Needs and constraints of crop protection training in the Sahel

Risk minimization is a main objective for the farmer in the Sahel, as the probability of insufficient and erratic rainfall is high. Considering the precarious situation of the Sahelian farmer, any development and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) should be based on traditional farming systems. The need is emphasized for training of personnel dealing directly with farmers. Pesticide use is common in the Sahel and these chemicals are often available free of charge. Therefore, considerable attention should be given to training of personnel of crop protection services, in management of pesticides and environmental toxicology. The research institutes, crop protection services, extension services, and the training centres are all in need of personnel with higher, middle and lower levels of training and have great difficulty in satisfying these needs. In national agricultural schools and universities the development of adequate and locally applicable curricula should be stressed, that includes crop protection; lecturers should be trained for this purpose. Regional training centres may have an important function in providing high standard training at different levels, and in generating IPM information. In the Sahel, the regional training centre for crop protection is based in Niger as an integral part of a large crop protection programme of CILSS (Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel). The activities planned for the near future are described. Besoins et contraintes de la formation pour la protection des végétaux au Sahel. La probabilité de pluies insuffisantes et erratiques étant élevée, l'objectif principal de l'agriculteur du Sahel est de minimiser des risques. Vu la situation précaire de l'agriculteur sahélien, tout développement et mise en oeuvre d'un programme de lutte intégrée devraient être basés sur les systèmes de cultures traditionnels. Il faut souligner la formation de personnel traitant directement avec les agriculteurs. L'usage de pesticides est courant au Sahel et ces produits chimiques sont souvent disponibles gratuitement. C'est pourquoi une attention toute particulière devrait être donnée au maniement des pesticides et à la toxicologie environmentale, au cours de la formation de personnel des services de protection des cultures. Les instituts de recherches, les services de protection des cultures et de vulgarisation, ainsi que les centres de formation ont tous besoin de personnel ayant une formation de n