Master of Farms

So, I got roped into PC Senegals Master Farmer program.  At the time it seemed like it wouldn't be too hard.  After having completed the training for it, It is going to be a little more work than I had anticipated.  The Master Farmer program is a program in which the PC gives all sorts of materials to an extremely motivated native farmer, that has already shown his or her skill in their farming ability, and who is open to new farming techniques.  Once these farmers have these new materials they set up a hectare of land, and grow food plants, and hold trainings for local small scale farmers to improve the food security of their area.  The farms are set up according to PC standard using the farm to demonstrate why these improved techniques are better.  for instance the farmer will set up a row of corn.  one half will be done with added amendments like manure, compost and ash, and will be thinned out so that really big healthy corn will grow, and the other half will be planted using the traditional method that is commonly used where they don't add anything to the soil, and they don't thin out the plants.  people will be able to come to the farm and immediately see how to grow corn, and be able to grow more food.  it is a really cool program but requires a lot of time and energy.  my job is to over see the farmer and help with all sorts of agricultural techniques and help solve his agricultural problems.  The farmer gets to keep all the food produced by his farm of course, and can sell it at the market.  he will most likely raise the most money from selling fruit trees and ornamentals.  a fruit tree (mango, orange, papaya) can sell for 1000 Cfa (2 dollars) it is easy to get a pepiniere (nursery) of 1000 trees.  the farmer can make a ridiculous amount of money like this.  I am really excited to be working with my farmer, although he is far away from me.  He lives like 40 km down the road.  the only reason I can work with him is that there is another volunteer in the same city as the farmer.  he is a health Volunteer, which is why I am going to be the Agro specialist for the farm.  he will probably work with the farmer more than me.
So, I am having trouble with mangoes.  They are extremely delicious and nutritious but they make my hands sticky, and they give my lips and skin a bad rash.  its mostly cause I am careless about the skins when I eat them.  there are nasty oils in mango skin, and I get a rash like poison ivy.  I usually eat them like an orange, I just peel away a part of it and chomp down.  I am going to have to change my technique and use a knife to take care of the skin.  its a less fun method, but I love mangos.

-Mike