By: Haruna Kuyateh
IMVF TEKKI FII project in collaboration with Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC), an implementing partner recently wrapped up two days Annual Retreat on Farm Field School with Agricultural Extension Workers and Supervisors.
The two days retreat was held in Farafenni North Bank Region. The retreat was used to reviewed progress, challenges and discussed way forward on water management systems in all 32 gardens supported by IMVF TEKKI FII during the last two years.
Mam Samba Joof, Executive Director of ADWAC said the two days retreat provided platform to discuss the progress and the management of water systems. Also he said the retreat was used to discuss the historical information transpired during implementation, as the project is almost coming to an end.
According to him the support the project provided to farmers in the form of capacity development on production techniques included supplied of seed, power tillers and tricycles all aimed to improve lives and livelihood.
Noting that Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the project and DOA on use of expertise on implementation of project has pay dividend.
He expounded on the important f extension workers as they are key on agriculture and also noted that the program has increased knowledge and understanding on the concept of Farmer Field Schools to sustain the gains registered in promoting Farm Field School concept.
Joana Martin Coordinator IMVF TEKKI FII Project said the achievements of the intervention were as a result joint efforts in transforming farmers’ mindset on production, nutritional development, marketing and income.
She called on youths to see the opportunity on vegetable gardening and noted the intervention impacted positively on the lives of women and youths.
The intervention with gardeners enabled them to banked D50,000, D100,000 and D200,000 as proceeds from seed revolving funds, demonstrated their commitment to ensure inputs and tools. The support to farmers in the form of power tillers to farmers and tricycles to youths in income generation and transportation of farm produce.
Madam Martin therefore thanked the extension workers and staff for their support and collaboration.
Kang Saikou Ceesay Project Expert on Horticulture and Adviser on Horticulture, Magda Duarte, Agribusiness Manager at IMVF TEKKI FII all thanked the extension workers and their supervisors for their supports which has enable the project to success.
They noted that the concept has contributed in helping farmers to learned from one another and challenged extension workers to sustain the gains after the project phase-out.
Bakary Kujabi Extension Worker from Bakindick Mixed Farming Centre of Lower Nuimi on behalf of participants thanked Office of the Director General of Agriculture and IMVF TEKKI FII for the actualization of Memorandum of Understanding. He said the past two years has contributed to an increase in much needed support to vegetables growers which include 32 gardens in NBR and CRR North and South.