Three-Week Phytosanitary Training Course Underway

There is a three-week training course for Senior Phytosanitary Inspectors, pest surveillance and Certification of Quarantine Inspectors to training in National Obligation under new international treaties underway at the moment. It is being held in the Gamtel Training Institute in Kanifing. The 21 day training course is being organised by the National Agriculture Development Agency (NADA) and is funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The forum was witnessed by the President of the FAO's representative, the TCDC consultants, the National Consultants as well as the participants. During the training, the participants will be lectured by numerous coordinators led by Maria Ayodele. The training course will take different forms ranging from pest risk analysis and surveillance methods, phytosanitary standards and procedures to cover policies, legislation and regulations.

In his opening statements, the country representative of the FAO, Messis Malcolm Duthie, underscored the importance of the training, adding that the project is bringing a group of competent  national consultants and technical cooperation experts together.

He said that they will guide the process and ensure that the national ability to make decisions in pest risk analysis and management, phytosanitary legislation and regulation is enhanced. He said, for FAO the training would be an important part of its Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) which is aimed at building the country's capacities at the national level in this field. The FAO representative further stated that this field would be a vital element in their efforts to address food security, to boost trade and to improve incomes. He spoke at length about the growing demand for food as the population increases. He outlined the benefits of this field and the training in the area of nutrition, Mr. Malcolm indicated that improving phytosanitary capacities and practices are vital in contributing to the nutrition of Gambians by offering them safe food.

Other speakers included the Director General of the NADA. He implored the participants in the various training sessions to share their newly acquired knowledge with their colleagues and urged them to use the facilities provided for them.