Warm greetings of friendship and esteem to you and all those that
contribute such valuable information to Shalom Magazine.
In 1988 I participated in an on-the-spot course on Agricultural
Extension and Professional Training given by CINADCO, which took place
in the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Since then, I have worked as an
extensionist in an agroforestry project located in the Campero and
Carrasco Provinces, in the Department of Cochabamba. These activities
are carried out by Radio Esperanza, a local communication organization
which offers support to the rural sector in the areas of community and
environmental projects.
Our project's activities are: training agriculturists in techniques in
agroforestry and agronomy, strengthening existing organizations,
forestation production and management, technical and economic assistance
in annual crops, and the conservation of soil and water at the family
farm level.
Following seven years of tireless work in conjunction with the farmers
(more than 600 families) in managing communal tree nurseries,
plantation and crops, and soil and water conservation, we have entered a
new phase in the project, aiming to achieve the consolidation,
sustainability and self-management of community projects. The presence
of any outside development organization offering support to the rural
sector in the community cannot last indefinitely. Therefore farmers and
the rural communities should be prepared and ready to manage, coordinate
and carry out projects utilizing their own existing organizations.
In this corner of the world, forestry and agricultural activities face
an unbeatable obstacle year after year: the lack of rain. Rain
distribution is very irregular in time and intensity. The average
precipitation is 400 to 450 mm.pp/year, from November to the end of
February. Because of this phenomenon we continually search for the most
efficient ways of utilizing surface water, such as reservoirs, or
maximizing infiltration in the soil.
The agricultural period of 1997-98 has been deeply affected by the
atmospheric phenomenon called El Nino. The agricultural sector in
Bolivia, especially in the Andes region, has been hurt and is suffering
from an acute drought. A survey has shown that the provinces of Campero
and Carrasco have sustained losses of 90% in annual production and we
fear a loss of between 60-70% of the cattle due to lack of water and
fodder.
As one can see, the future situation of the farmers looks bleak,
alerting us to search for adequate ways of maximizing efficiency in the
use of the little water we have for irrigating small family plots.
We know that very efficient irrigation systems have been developed in
the Holy Land, and that special crops have been cultivated in the middle
of the desert. I would like to visit Israel to learn this advanced
technology to be able to adapt it to our rural communities. I
respectfully request your guidance indicating where can I receive
information regarding courses in Israel.
Warm greeting and Shalom to all the magazine's staff.
Sincerely yours,
Mario Claros Herbas
Radio Esperanza
Casilla 5736
Aiquile - Cochabamba
BOLIVIA
Note from the Editor: Mario Claros Herbas was advised to direct his
request to the nearest Israeli embassy or consulate.