Extension workers at the Kuntaur Agriculture Station in the Central River Region north recently concluded a five-day training of trainers’ workshop, aimed at enhancing their capacities on basic livestock and horticultural development techniques. The synergy was organised by the Regional Agricultural Directorate with funds provided by the Livestock and Horticultural Development Project (LHDP).

Addressing the participants, who were certified at the end of the training, the regional Agric director of the CRR north, Ousman Jammeh, underscored the importance of the training, saying it had equipped the extension agents with the basic concept of livestock and horticultural development techniques. He told the participants that the objectives of LHDP project are among other things, to reduce poverty, enhance knowledge and skills, and secure food and nutritional security of women and youths, who are the most vulnerable.

Jammeh said the extension agents would go back to the communities and train them so that they would fully understand the basic concepts and principles of agro-enterprise development and promotion, importance and challenges facing women entrepreneurs and youths under the purview of LHDP.

The governor of the region, Ganyie Touray, spoke at length on the importance of the LHDP project, noting that it encourages communities to embark on agro-forestry, which he said will preserve the land. He called on the participants to take up the challenges seriously, while thanking the Regional Agricultural directorate for their relentless efforts in making this training a successful one. Amongst the topics discussed during the training included fruit tree production, poultry and small ruminant breeding, marketing, pest and disease management, report writing, record keeping, and group formation.