By: Haruna Kuyateh
The United Purpose (UP), an International NGO in partnership with Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC) has recently launched a 12 months project called Community Led Initiative for Sustainable Environment and Resource Management (CISEARM).
The launching of the project took place at Njawara Agricultural Training Centre in the North Bank Region.
Speaking at the launching of the project was Musa Kanteh, Deputy Governor for NBR who had thanked Njawara Agricultural Training Centre and its partners for their immense contribution to the improvement of lives and livelihood of farmers.
He noted that the negative effects of climate change have contributed to food insecurity and poverty.
Deputy Governor therefore called on everyone to be vigilant and plant more trees to mitigate climate change.
Mama Manneh, Executive Director of Njawara Agricultural Training Centre said the project will work with four communities namely – Kinteh Kunda Janneh Ya, Balingho, Njawara and Conteh Kunda Nigi in the climate change. And it will provide two fishing boats, garden and cold store with freezer powered by solar for fishermen and processors for the community of Balingho, plant trees and mangroves along Baobolong at Conteh Kunda Nigi and as well work with Njawara and Kinteh Kunda Schools to promote environmental education.
The Director thanked the beneficiary communities for their participation during Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and to the development of community action plans factoring the priority needs of women and youths.
He reiterated that the project will ensure that all necessary materials and equipment are delivers and channel them to sustain the project.
Ismaila Jarju, Program Coordinator at United Purpose underscored the importance of partnership with Njawara Agricultural Training Centre in building and enhancing resilience building in mitigating effect of climate change.
He uses the moment to remind beneficiaries that climate change is real and described the recent windstorm as great losses to the region and then called for more efforts to plant trees.
Malamin IL Bojang Chairman of Kerewan Area Council and Chief Fabala Fadia Kinteh of Lower Badibou hailed Njawara Agricultural Training Centre for complementary Council’s efforts in providing much needed support to improve lives and livelihood.
The project targets 4 communities and raises awareness of school children through adoption of best practice on environmental management.