Momodou Marr, the deputy governor of North Bank Region has said that there is a need for individuals and international donors to continue supporting the women in the realisation of attaining food self sufficiency and protecting deforestation and degradation.

He made this remarks over the weekend during the Njawara Agricultural Training Center's annual general meeting at the center in Njawara, North Bank Region. The purpose of the AGM is to promote the governance structure of the center, by enabling people to have more say on the overall implementation of the center's policies and programmes.

Mr Marr hailed NATC for complementing government's efforts in attainment of food security and the transfer of agricultural skills on the youths and women. He noted that agro forestry programme has impacted positively on the lives of target communities and individuals citing the establishment of community wood lots and planting of nitrogen fixing plant.

He used the opportunity to thank the management and board of directors for designing realistic and appropriate programme aimed at empowering youths and women in the acquisition of agricultural skills and knowledge. The programme contributed immensely in the transformation of the lives of youths and women, as they are now economically empowered and enhance their participation on socio economic development of the country.

Mary Sambou, chairperson of board directors of Njawara Agricultural Training Center commended the communities and donor partners for their generous support towards the realisation of the center's development aspiration. The mandate of NATC among other things is to work in partnership with both local and international institutions in training farmers both male and female, on sustainable farming system in other to enhance self reliance, food security and employment, thereby reducing poverty and migration both nationally and internationally. She assured that the management's activities are in line with statutory document strategic plans, policies and procedures.

The authority of the board is delegated by the general assembly and it is accountable to the general assembly. She used the opportunity to register the board's profound gratitude to the women for contributing immensely in the implementation of the center's development projects. The skill learnt would greatly enhance the economic and nutritional status of the women and children and contribute to poverty reduction at the grassroots and improve the livehood of rural households.

In presenting 2008 annual report, Badara Jobe, the director of Njawara Agricultural Training underscored the significant achievement registered in 2008, citing the inauguration of new board of directors, launching of Smile B Water irrigation project for women vegetable growers, training of long and short term students on different areas of agricultural production for the communities of North Bank Region and Wuli and Sandu Development Association WASDA in the Upper River Region, under the life project of Concern Universal.

The graduating long term students were given resettlement package of 22,000 dalasis to begin their own agri business and are given a grace period of 6 - 18 months to begin repaying back their loan. He talked on the importantce his organisation attaches to the rehabilitation of youths in the transfer of skills and knowledge on agricultural activities and encourage them to take up agriculture as an entity to stay on farm to enhance their economic well-being.

Create self reliance and empower farmers especially women and youths in The Gambia and contribute to the national drive towards food self sufficiency and poverty eradication. Director Jobe further noted that the center continues to build partnership with Canadian Resource efficiency agriculture production with a project aimed to accelerate the adoption of ecological agriculture and soil conservation practices by improverised improved stoves to reduce deforestation and efficient use of local resources. This he said will reduce poverty, enhance food security and minimise the impacts of climate change through the adoption of plant materials to the increasing variability in climatic condition. He commended all stakeholders and donor partners for moral and financial support in the execution of development projects.