Forty women from the Western Region were recently trained on food processing and preservation at the Kabafita Nursery School in Brikama, Western Region.

The training was jointly organised by the Saamasang Federation in collaboration with CCF national office. It aimed at training women on how to process and preserve the produce they gain from their gardens that would keep them from perishing at an early time. The training was also geared towards reducing post harvesting and to enhance the availability of nutritious foods and reducing frequent food shortage of certain locally produced foods , vital in improving the nutritional status of children and pregnant women.

In his welcome remarks, Serign Modou Joof on behalf of the Western Region governor, described the training as timely and important, noting that it would greatly help in equiping the women with skills that would enable them to preserve their produce.  He described the proper preservation of food as crucial in one's health.  He urged the participants to take up the training seriously and to disseminate the information gained to their colleagues.

Momodou Jallow from CCF said their institution is here to support the women and to improve the well-being of children.  He said the training will go a long way in enlightening the women on how and when to preserve their produce before it gets rotten.  He expressed hope that the participants will make good use of the knowledge gained from the two-day training.

Sainey Cham, on behalf of the executive director of the Women's Bureau, thanked the organisers for coming up with such an important training for the women, whom he said cultivate most of the  foods  in this country.  He described the training as long over due and quickly cited the constraints women face in preserving their produce which causes a huge loss to them.  He said the training will now provide knowledge for the women on how to overcome this problem. He then urged the participants to disseminate the information gained.

Honourable Momodou Touray, who declared the training opened on behalf of the speaker of the  National Assembly, cited the importance of the training for women as they  produce 95% of the food that is consumed in the country.  He thanked the organisers for the training and described the training as a step that will go a long way in equipping the women on how to preserve their produce.  He urged them to take up the training seriously and to disseminate the information.  He also urged the participants to continue their hard work in meeting the food self-sufficiency target of President Jammeh.