Extension course on soil health for farmers at risk with pesticide use.

Abstract

The report represents a first contact with families farming living along the road Ramal Boa
Esperança, at Presidente Figueiredo region, northeast State of Amazonas, Brazil. The current
agronomic practices of farmers have been causing soil degradation and an increase in the
incidence of phytopathologies. In this framework, a soil health short course was developed
to an approach to preserving and building soil health and fertility, as well as the production of
healthy foods. In addition, efforts have been made to presents the impacts of using pesticides
and the need to implement sustainable practices. Therefore, five 4-hour modules were offered
in both Federal Institute of Amazon (IFAM), Campus located at Presidente Figueiredo and the
Boa Esperança community. Despite an intense work resulting in some changes, farmers are
slow in changing their farming practices and only a small part of the reality was transformed.
People at this region remains using large portions of pesticides in their farming. However, the
legacy of this project were an approach to the reality of farmers and the institution for future
research in the area.