By: Haruna Kuyateh
ROOTS Project funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in collaboration with North Bank Marketing Federation SOLICITA Thursday launched the Agricultural Value Chain Interaction Platforms (AVIP) in Kerewan, North Bank Region.
This is meant to contribute and create market linkages between producers, inputs dealers, processors, marketers, and transporters. The platform would strengthen and enhance coordination among stakeholders and actors while the launching of the platform marked the 6 platform for Vegetable producers across the country.
Governor Lamin Saidykhan underscored the government’s commitment to food production and value chain addition, noting marketing of garden produce would contribute to promoting value addition.
He said the ROOTS Project would contribute to strengthening the agriculture sector through massive investment to accelerate diversification, and ‘the AVIP would help to foster food production, support women to enhance social mobilization and access to finance.’
Fatou Sanyang, Business Development Officer at ROOTS Project said the establishment of AVIP aimed to support vegetable and rice producers across the country to address market challenges faced by women farmers.
Burang Danjo on behalf of the consultancy group hailed ROOTS for its foresight in contributing to women’s empowerment through creating reliable market for vegetable produce and economic development.
He noted that the consultancy groups work tirelessly to ensure that Agricultural Value Chain Interaction Platforms are established, and trained and provide market linkages with potential buyers.
Sainabou Martin Sonko, Chief Executive Officer of KerewanArea Council described ROOTS intervention in empowering women as fundamental in boosting production and access to market.
She noted that the council would embark on market rehabilitation and sanitary facilities to improve the welfare of vendors and market users while assuring that the partnership with the ROOTS project would contribute to complementing council efforts
Ebrima Kuyateh, Deputizing for the Regional Agricultural Directorate in Kerewan, Haddy Joof Secretary General of SOLICITA among others applauded the ROOTS project over the launching with thanks.