By: Nyima Sillah
Gambia Horticultural Enterprise (GHE) has trained 100 youths on agro-food processing and vegetable production.
The training which brought together youths from various regions across the country which includes CRR, LRR and NBR was held at GHE premises in Kembujeh.
Speaking at the training, Haddy M Ceesay, GHE Representative noted that the training was meant to equip the youths with skills that are needed in agricultural food processing and vegetable production which are at high demand at the jobs market.
According to her, the training will help to improve job opportunities for the youths and with the skills they will acquire during the training it will help them to set up their own business.
She said participants will also be giving the chance to identify the type of crops they want to specialise on for processing.
Salifu Jaiteh, UNCDF representative, thanked the European Union (EU) for funding the training and described the training as significant for the youths. He said the training is a four-year program while he urged all trainees to acquire the required tools for the training.
If you want your community to change you must take the lead to change your community, he said.
ITC representative Yusupha Keita said: “there are a lot of unemployed youths in the country and having the chance to be part of this skills training will go a long way in addressing the unemployment rate. For youths to contribute in any development, they need to acquire the skills required to enhance development.”
He to the trainees that there will be challenges along the way but that doesn’t mean they should be discouraged from the training. Thus, he said every successful person has a story to tell, so the trainees should work hard in other for them to achieve their primary goals.
Ebrima Bah, Vegetable production trainer GHE noted that agriculture plays a vital role in the development of the nation and without agriculture people will find it very difficult. He also said agriculture is the backbone of the country and having knowledge on vegetables production will help a lot.