Haruna Kuyateh
Njawara agricultural centre has trained farmers on pre- and post-harvest loss as part of promoting Agro Ecology and Eco restoration practices and funded European Union through Action Aid International the Gambia in partnership Njawara Agricultural Training Centre to strengthen smallholder farmers.
Speaking in a voice interview director of Njawara Agricultural training centre underscored the importance of working with farmers to discussed and identified Pre and Post-harvest loss on farm produce, with the view to enhance food production and productivity.
Mama Manneh who also spoke to voice said: “the initiative was part of Promoting Agro Ecology and Eco restoration practices and funded European Union through Action Aid International the Gambia in partnership Njawara Agricultural Training Centre to strengthen smallholder farmers.”
The program help smallholder farmers who have experience poor harvest as a result low rainfall, lack of draught animals and farm implement. The community engagements have empowered farmers to disclosed the types of quality seed, farm implement to ensure timely planting and control pre- and post-harvest losses.
Babou Nyass Extension Worker at Njawara Agricultural Training Centre noted that the project has provided D320, 000 support to smallholder farmers in Jokadou with cash amount of to buy draught animals, quality seed, farm implement e.g. shine hoe and seeder to boost their capacity in agricultural production to mitigate effects of climate change and food insecurity.
He disclosed that the project awarded contract for the rehabilitation of seed stores in Munyagen and Jalaba to ensure proper storage of farm produces to preserve quality seed.
Beneficiary farmers Fatou Jobe of Kerr Jarga, Fatou Cham of Kerr Omar Saine and Ali Jobe of Munyagen lauded support, noting that it has strengthen their capacity in food production.
Chief Alh. Sako Gaye of Jokadou described the community engagements as crucial in generating information that would strengthen production and productivity. He said the cash support to 10 farmers in the district has enhanced resilience building in production cycles.