By: Haruna Kuyateh
Reliance Financial Services has contributed D3.5million to Kerewan women microfinance.
Farmer Field School and Rural Women Saving Scheme in partnership with Reliance Financial Services of Barra branch was established in 2012and implemented by Dr. Saikou E Sanyang current director general at Agriculture Ministry, during his time as Regional Agricultural Director for North Bank Region.
Speaking in Kerewan, on Wednesday during a visit at Farmer Field School at Suntukung garden in Kerewan where he discussed to women on the significant of farmer field school.
Dr. Sanyang said linking producers to microfinance scheme meant to empower women gardeners to diversify in to income generating opportunities that enhance their livelihood and development.
According to him, the scheme also empowers women to promote the culture of saving and be able to contribute to poverty reduction.
Dr. Sanyang revealed that the department of agriculture and partners are working hard to implement the concept of farmer field school at gardens to help farmers adopt agronomic practices.
He said capacity development of vegetables growers continue to make significant contribution, citing the adoption of organic manure and organic pesticides.
He thanks women farmers to their contribution to food security.
He commended women for their commitment in food production and noted that the department attaches great importance to commercialization and attaining households’ food security.
Dr. Sanyang challenge farmers to value saving with microfinance and banks to ensure proper management of resources and to enable them to take care of their needs.
“Producers, buyer linkages are important as it help middle men to reach out to producers to negotiate for price and advice farmers to pay heed on market information system through the WhatsApp group,” he said.
He urged farmers to be proactive to avoid post-harvest loss and enhance value addition, calling on farmers to be vigilant and liaise with frontline extension workers on management and adoption of agronomic practices to increase yield.
Binta Manneh said the group has bought chairs and hire it out to others, simply due to the resources generated.
She also said the culture of saving has enable members to diversify in to sustainable economic activity.
Jonsaba Jawara President of Reliance Financial Rural Women Finance group also double as President of Farmer Field School in Kerewan noted that the scheme has contribution encourage women to promote saving.
According to her, the support has strengthening women capacity to have access finance and diversified in to others income generation activities.
Commenting on Farmer Field School, she said the program has strengthening human resource development on production on use of organic manure, increase income and health.
She commended department of agriculture for support to provide seed assistance to vegetable growers.
She pointed out that the school has raised money to ensure farmers have timely seed and urged on others garden owners to introduce the concept of farmer field school to help farmers increase production.
Badou Jobe of Reliance Financial Services commended the partnership with women vegetable group in Kerewan, disclosing that the D3.5 million was disbursed for the last 5 years.
John Mendy Principal Agricultural Officer at Agricultural Directorate in Kerewan noted the farmer field school aimed to expose farmers on the use of different manures, citing compost, chemical fertiliser and pesticides and poultry products on onion and other vegetables.
Kaddy Jadama PRO t commented vegetable producers for their solidarity to the farmer field school and noted the skill and knowledge has empowered farmers to practice proper demarcation and spacing between plants.