By: Haruna Kuyateh
Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC) in partnership with Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the UNDP small grant project called Community Resilience Building in Sustainable Marine Resource Management wrapped up a four-day training for the oyster farmers on harvesting and processing techniques, hygiene, and sanitation. The training was held in Sami Tenda and Memmeh of Upper Nuimi and Jokadu, North Bank Region.
Alpha Sey, Project Manager of NATC said training oyster collectors on hygiene and sanitation is fundamental in empowering and bridging capacity gaps of the oyster collection and processing techniques.
He said the presentation of life jackets, gloves, boots, bowls, and stoves to the collectors by the project would strengthen the safety of women during harvesting and processing.
Mr. Sey challenged the beneficiaries to ensure effective management of resources.
Commenting on adoption of savings and resource mobilization, the Project Manager said it is high time for groups to have a good governance style, through a participatory process and consultation. He noted that the exchange visit to Kartong and Cassamace aimed to promote shared learning and adopt best practices on group management and oyster collection techniques.
Dawda Saine, the lead trainer for the training reiterated the importance of standards of hygiene practice during their work, especially at the processing stages.
He said oysters are nutritious and therefore it is important for collectors to live up to expectations, especially the beneficiaries in promoting the health of consumers. He noted that traceability of oyster farmers are important and reiterated the need for groups to be committed in changing the status quo.
Awa Sambou President and Haddy Jobe Secretary of Oyster Farmers thanked Njawara Agricultural Training Centre and Global Environment Facility for the humanitarian gesture, noting that the capacity development on hygiene and sanitation would contribute immensely to their work.