By: Haruna Kuyateh
The United Purpose (UP) Saturday organised a one day training program for a selected 15 farmers and extension workers in North Bank Region.
The 15 farmers and extension workers were trained on value chain and concept of agribusiness to improve their lives and livelihood, the one day training was held at Njawara Agricultural Training Centre in North Bank Region and it was funded by the European Union.
The United Purpose (UP) with funding from European Union are implementing 36 months project dubbed West Africa Competitiveness Program – Value Chain Strengthening (WACOMP) in three regions North Bank, Lower River and West Coast Regions.
Burang Danjo, the lead consultant for the training said the training aimed at boosting quality and equitable food value change amongst women gardeners and the middlemen in agribusiness and marketing federation, citing SOLICITA Marketing Federation in NBR.
He explained that the training targeted 10 women gardeners and 5 extension workers. The objective is to promote standard and effective chain of communication between extension workers, producers and middlemen to ease marketing of farm produce.
He disclosed that training on best practices will be conducted to equip farmers with the appropriate know and skills to enable them to conduct site selection, seed selection, land preparation, nursery and transplanting, cultural practices/plant management, curing and harvesting and so on
He noted that agronomical trainings will be implemented by partners with the support of UP.
Cherno B Jallow Business Developing Service Facilitator at United Purpose said their organization would contribute in strengthening and empowering women gardeners in producing high yield and income.
Also, he urged the participants to stay committed to their production plan and form stronger partnership with front line extension workers within their locality.
Packages including capacity building of producers on market-oriented production, postharvest handling, value addition and marketing techniques through Business Development Services will be delivered through the provision of extension and business development services. And it would be delivered through the structures of the Women’s Marketing Federations, and may as well involve contracting of service providers from private sector and or value chain actors.
Whilst described the capacity building as important for Solicita Marketing Federation in strengthening and bridging information gaps on production, market research and customer relationships.
For her part Fatou Jagne, president of the Solicita Marketing Federation for NBR called on women gardeners to be more proactive on adoption and utilisation of best farm practices to boost quality production and productivity.
Madam Jagne thanked Njawara Agricultural Training Centre through United Purpose and Regional Agricultural Directorate in Kerewan for sharing best agronomic practices with farmers for sustainable livelihoods.
Mories Gomez, agric extension worker in Illiasa cluster said the training would help to enhance capacity on value chain and marketing to address post harvest losses and maximise profits. He used the moment to call on farmers to be very receptive to adoption of agronomic practices and promoting the use of organic manure.
Noting that diversification in food processing in promoting value chain contribute to creation of market opportunities.