By: Haruna Kuyateh
As part of the implementation of a five- year project called Integrated Climate Adaption and Community Resilience Building (ICCR) in six communities in the North Bank Region (NBR), Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC) in conjunction with United Purpose/Self-Help Africa had organized a two- day training for women on improved vegetable production and horticulture techniques: agronomic practices and climate smart agriculture.
The project which is sponsored by Irish Aid covered Tambana, Mbankam, Ginack Kajata, Memmeh, Sami Tenda and Ginack Nigi communities.
Speaking on the occasion Alpha Sey (ICCR-NBR) Project Manager underscored the important of building farmers capacity and align their productions and processing with modern techniques and adopt good production plans. He noted that such training on vegetable production is important to enable farmers adopt recommended practices to maximize income and nutrition security. He noted that supporting women oyster producer with skills, boats, equipment and materials would contribute to alternative livelihood development.
The project aimed to provide vegetable gardens in all intervention villages, to enhance effective waste and environmental management, promote community saving and lending component to enhance economic empowerment and more importantly poverty reduction.
Cherno Jallow a trainer from Regional Agricultural Directorate in Kerewan said the two days training guide farmers on methods and techniques on market research, production planning, site selection, seed selection, nursery preparation, compost making, bio pesticide preparation and disease control and harvesting techniques.
Dodou Njie a beneficiary farmer of Ginack Nigi described the capacity development as important and thanked Njawara Agricultural Training Centre and partners for the foresight, noting that it would contribute to promote agronomic practices for oyster collectors and vegetable growers.