By: Haruna Kuyateh
Gambia Youths Project is set to graduate 33 trainees on integrated agriculture and entrepreneurship in September after two solid years of training.
Momodou Bah Chief Executive Officer of Rural Development Organization overseeing the implementation of Gambia Youths Project explained that the training centre was established in 2019 with aim of exploring the potential of youths on skills acquisition on integrated agriculture and entrepreneurship.
“Currently 33 youths are set to graduate in September after two years of intensive training and have finalized their business plans with trainers in Germany,” he said.
He thanked the community of Balingho for providing 12.5ha land for the project while disclosed that the centre will pay 10% of annual net profits that will be shared between land owners and Village Development Committee to support development needs of community.
Mr. Bah said the state of art food processing centre is operational whilst cold storage facility is at the stage of completion.
According to him, the purpose is to promote value addition and create market linkages for agricultural products.
Lamin Saidykhan, Governor of North Bank Region hailed the management of Holistic Agribusiness Solutions Training Centre known as Gambia Youths Project of Balingho of Upper Badibou.
Yaya Jammeh thanked Gambia Youths Project for providing 1ha vegetable garden for women and drilling of borehole to supply the community and Lower Basic School.
He disclosed that additional 40ha land will be provided to the centre for future expansion and development.
Bintou Tamba Prison Officer and Mbye Gaye final year students thanked the centre for transforming their lives on agriculture and promised to utilize the skills and knowledge to boost production.