By: Haruna Kuyateh
Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC) with support from Global Environment Facility has completed the installation of solar power freezers in Kekuta located in Upper Badibou, North Bank Region last Sunday.
The 12-month project aimed at transforming lives of rural youths through making fishing a profession to contribute to poverty reduction as it this will create jobs for the youths of Kekunda, thus it is the implementing community.
For sustainability and upkeep of the solar and freezers, women were trained on how to operate them to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. The fish caught for the two days of the event by fishermen recorded 153kilos and fishermen sold their catch to women at D90 per kilo whilst women fish processor in turn sold them out at D100 per kilo.
Mama Manneh, Executive Director of Njawara Agricultural Training Centre underscored the significant of building and strengthening fishing sub sector to mitigate climate change and address irregular migration.
He said fishing project would transform lives and livelihoods, adding that the project would create more opportunities for women, citing recent training in fish processors hygiene, sanitation and standard as example. The support to this community has contributed to increase demand for fish.
“As part of measure to avoid wastage on catches, the community has provided temporal housing for freezers, as construction of storage facility is ongoing. The strategy is in line with fisheries development policy in the rural communities to enhance youth and women participation in fishing industry particular artisanal sector to mitigate rural migration and reduce poverty. More so, to improve household nutrition through the consumption of seafood,” he said.
The chairman of Kekuta Kunda Fishing Association, Buya Jammeh, described the intervention important, saying the project support in the past included fishing boat engine, cold store and live jackets.
He noted that the boat would enhance youths’ participation in fishing sector and boost income. And as well address post-harvest losses on fish and fish products.
The women expressed delight on the support, saying it has provided opportunity to women to actively participate and boost income.