By: Haruna Kuyateh
The ROOTS project recently handed over improved vegetable seeds to members of the SOLICITA Marketing Federation for the upcoming rainy season production in the North Bank Region.
Handing over the seeds to the Marketing Federation, DembaSanyang, Regional ROOTS Coordinator underscored the importance of partners in boosting year-round vegetable production.
Mr. Sanyang disclosed that the inputs support aims at empowering the federation to be more responsive to timely delivery and improve high-quality seed variety.
He stated that the second input support targeted 13 groups with nine (9) different types of seeds for the 2024 rainy season, noting that the seed purchase was based on the request received from the groups. He quickly reassured them of ROOTS project support toward the attainment of year-round production.
RC Sanyang renewed the project’s overall commitment to year-round production and called on members to be proactive in food and nutrition security. The project targets women and youths in food production and the value chain.
Lamin Fatty, Field Assistant Market and Value Chain at ROOTS Office in Kerewan said the presentation was based on a request from members of the federation.
He disclosed that the last SOLICITA full payment of 20% inputs support of 2023 was worth D812,000 and benefitted 1,111 women farmers across the region. Overall the support impacted positively on the federation in terms of timely planting and profit margins.
Fatoumata Jagne, President of the SOLICITA Federation thanked the ROOTS project for their invaluable contribution to the federation, in terms of capacity enhancement and input support. She said the support contributed immensely to strengthening vegetable growers’ capacity,
Chairman Papa Tunkara of the Kerewan Area Council described the ROOTS project as development-oriented in empowering communities to increase rice and vegetable production.
Presentation of seeds for rainy season production would enhance capacity and income, he added.
