ECHO conference in Arusha

Last week I got to have a crash course in agriculture in East Africa and meet some incredible people working in the field at the ECHO symposium in Arusha, Tanzania. Plenary and break-out sessions covered a wide range of issues from conservation agriculture to community animal health care to integrated pest management to sand dams to beekeeping. There was an appropriate technology fair, where I saw everything from water pumps to bicycle-powered cell phone rechargers. If the sessions themselves weren't packed enough with information, we also got to see some of the concepts put to work in the field - permaculture gardens, water harvesting techniques, and even a visit to the World Vegetable Center (the pictures featured here).

The second picture is of the moringa tree (mlonge in Swahili), which is refered to by some as the miracle tree. The leaves themselves are extremely nutritious and have been effective at boosting the nutrition and health of those living with HIV. The seeds can be crushed and used for purifying water. It's drought resistant. And so many other uses.

At the conference I met many people from a variety of backgrounds. Two men's determination and persistence
amazed and inspired me. They are leaders of a community-based organization who travelled two full days by bus to attend the symposium. They are passionate about improving the lives of people in their remote community, and wish to start up a farmer field school, a tree nursery, and possibly even a poultry farm. It was very interesting to talk with these Tanzanians who are offered some useful insights into the reality of rural life and agriculture in this country.

So the SWAHILI WORD OF THE DAY is mkutano, which means symposium or conference.