The Regional Agricultural Directorate in the Central River Region north Monday began a four-day training workshop on livestock and horticultural production for farmers in CRR north.

The workshop, which drew participantsfrom the five districts in CRR north namely; Sami, Niani, Nianija, Upper Saloum and Lower Saloum was funded by the Livestock and Horticultural Development Project (LHDP). Addressing participants at the workshop, the Regional Agricultural director in CRR north, Musa Huma explained that the project goal is aimed at raising income, improve food security and reduce poverty of both urban and rural poor households. He added that the project will also enhance the capacity and empower the women and youths to reduce poverty through major cross-cutting issues.

He noted that the training is part of the project capacity building for farmers which are to increase on a sustainable basis the production, processing and marketing of horticultural and livestock products and by-products. He further stated that the training is meant to equip the participants with the skills and knowledge to improve their agricultural and livestock production and productivity.

Huma noted that the majority of the households living within the project target areas are small-scale subsistence farmers living below the poverty line. He urged the participants to takethe training seriously and spread the message across to those who do not have the chance to attend the training.

Kebba Jammeh, the regional agricultural deputy director told the participants that the training will raise the awareness and equip them with the skills and techniques of production for them to improve their livelihood. He added that the training will complement government efforts in the attainment of food self-sufficiency.

The chief of Niani,Alhaji Pierre Bah spoke at length on the importance of the training, noting that it will help the farmers to improve their household food security as well as contribute immensely to poverty reduction. He urged the participants to put into practice the skills and techniques acquired during thetraining in order to increase their production. He further called on them to disseminate the information to those who did not have the opportunity to attend the training.Bah added that improving agricultural production is part of President Jammeh’s top priority.

The senior agricultural officer, Ebrima Baldeh highlighted on the topics of the training which include the following: small ruminant feeds, feeding and housing, horticultural production, pest of vegetables, swine production, compost and bio-pesticides practical, poultry production and feed preparation and bed preparation among others.

The alkalo of Kuntaur, Alhaji Seedy Bensouda applauded Musa Huma for his untiring efforts in equipping the farming communities with new skills and techniques.