2018 ASHS Annual Conference

In most highly developed countries, ornamental plants and landscaping are just regular parts of the urban environment. However, in third world countries, this is not the situation outside of the large cities. Landscaping and ornamentals are associated with hotels, public parks, government buildings and wealth, not the average individual. However, as urban areas in these countries such as Senegal expand and modernize, there is an increased demand for ornamental plants. An increased opportunity also exists for new jobs and sources of income for individuals who are properly trained in ornamental plant production and maintenance. Senegal has several rural training centers where some courses in agronomy and vegetable production are already taught, but ornamental plants are not included in the curriculum. This Farmer-to-Farmer project was conducted at one of those rural training centers both to introduce this topic into the curriculum and to make the students aware of ornamental plant production practices and the opportunities available to them if they chose to become involved in this "new" business.