By: Haruna Kuyateh
Jahaur Mandinka women rarmer field school saving and internal lending for communities (SILC) share out D87, 355 to 30 farmers to promote savings and easy access to finance, expand and increase production and productivity on Saturday.
Jahaur Mandinka women farmer field school through Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Farmer Field School has strengthen farmers on capacity on income. The event was held in Jahaur Mandinka of Lower Saloum of Central River Region North.
Kumba Jallow President of Women Farmer Field School noted that the intervention of the project has contributed the spirit of culture of saving and make producer to be self-reliant.
She noted that it has empowered women not to take loan from microfinance and commercial banks.
According to her, members are committed to sustain on-going saving scheme to enable them to give out loan to each other at minimal interest rate, adding that scheme is transparent and accountable as members decide on the saving and social funds.
Lang Marong Coordinator of Farmer Field School at FAO expressed delight on women commitment to operate the saving scheme.
He said saving and internal lending for communities would complement Department of Agriculture to empower farmers to provide essential farm input.
He urged beneficiaries farmer group to sustain on-going saving scheme, to enable members to partake in socio economic activities and contribute to poverty reduction.
Mr. Marong further urged farmers to be steadfast to give out loan to members and ensure sustainability of the microfinance scheme.
Bala Touray Project Coordinator at Agency for Village Support AVISU noted that the scheme aim at empowering communities in adopting the important of savings and ensuring easy access to finance within members.
He disclosed that AVISU has registered 95 groups and a total of D2.5million saved by members was shared out recently. Drammeh call on Jahaur Mandinka Women to attaches great important to start giving loan, with the ultimate aim to empower members to venture into more income generating opportunities.
Kambala Fatty Village Development Committee chairperson thanks FAO for building capacity of farmers on best agronomic practices to boost food production. She said farmers in the village now value the important of saving and assured of the VDC support at all times.
Babanding Saidy alkalo expressed concern on the presence of hippos at rice has affected rice production and call on authorities to support to address the situation.
He said as a result of hippo’s intrusion to the rice fields, women and households head has not been harvesting a single grain and therefore call for more support from Department of Parks and Wildlife. Alkalo uses the moment to call on department of agriculture to construct anti salt dyke to control salt intrusion and encourage rice cultivation.
Other speakers include Egan Jallow beneficiary said the saving has help her to received D3, 460 after 12 months savings.
She plans to invest the money to small businesses to enhance income and poverty.
Adama Jallow received D3,770 and noted saving is important and promise to add her savings to enable invest to other economic activities, and her concern is to support the education of her son to tertiary education. All the beneficiaries expressed delight and promise to invest in to small businesses and increase their savings.