By: Haruna Kuyateh
Catholic Relief Service CRS and partners with European Union funding through FAO project known as Agriculture for Economic Growth to mitigate food insecurity, malnutrition and address irregular migration on Tuesday organized farmer exchange visit on best recommended Agricultural farm practices.
The slogan “Empowering Community through Farmer Field School concept and practices,” visited Niani Kunting, Jahaur Mandinka and Njau, Central River North.
Baboucar Bojang Project Manager Agricultural Emergency CRS and Focal Person FAO Farmer Field School at CRS underscored the significance of working with farmers and department of agriculture in building the capacity of farmers through the concept and approach of Farmer Field School to boost food production and productivity.
According to him the project was approved following an agreement with International NGOs consortium CRS, United Purpose and coordinate by Action Aid International the Gambia as the Principal recipient in popularizing the concept of Farmer Field School.
The project will build capacity on climate change, resilience building on rice, maize, groundnut and cowpea.
BOJANG pointed out that approach also includes basic agronomic practices and encourage beneficiaries community to promote saving and internal lending community approach (SILCA) by CRS while FAO will support village saving and loan association (VSLA), noting that it will enable farmers to support one and other in accessing funds.
He commended farmer facilitators on their performance and commitment for transferring the recommended farm practices, noting that it contributed to bridge extension for farmer ratio from 1 to 3500 farmers.
He also noted that saving and Internal Lending Community Approach is gaining momentum as women farmers held weekly payment and use the fund to support production and other social activities.
Foday Jadama regional agriculture director, Central River Region North commended CRS and FAO for complementing department of agriculture in building the capacity of farmers on climate change and resilience building to mitigate food and seed security.
He also commended the communities, farmer facilitators and frontline extension workers for their commitment and willingness to transferred appropriate skills and knowledge of food production and boosting of environmental management through adaptation of organic farming.
Ba Su Sillah community leader of Kunting said the school has changed farming behavior and attitude on planting and application of organic farming, noting that it has boost yield and production.
He disclosed that the family provided land to the women group and it is registered and the ownership belonged to the women group.
Mama Fatty Farmer facilitator of Niani Kunting thanked the Sillah family for providing land to women gardeners and members for registration of the land for the women group.
She noted that the capacity development of farmers has contributed to promote recommended farm practices, proper demarcation of beds and promoting the use of organic farming.
Kambala Fatty chairperson of Jahaur village development committee (VDC) disclosed that the women have paid D85, 000 to acquire land for expansion for the group.
She also said women group has contributed D115, 000 to support saving and assist members to increase agric business.
She commended CRS for their invaluable support to food security and poverty reduction, while thanked FASDEP for the expansion of the village community garden and providing water reservoirs, borehole, farm house and a toilet facility.
Omar Sise alkalo of Njai, calls on government and partners to support the community with food aid noting that last raining season was poor and affected food shortages for human and livestock.