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The national coordinator of the Forest Farm Facility, FFF, under the auspices of UN FAO has underscored the importance of raising public awareness among forest communities and village development committees on the different types of cooking stoves to combat desertification.
Kanimang Camara was speaking recently in Kerewan in the North Bank Region at a three-day capacity development session for 30 farmers, on the use of improved cooking stoves to enhance restoration of the forest.
He noted that the project aims at complementing the government’s cross sectoral coordination in the area of agriculture and natural resources management.
FFF is committed to creating awareness on the agriculture and nature resources management policy, and building the capacity of the cashew farmers association and its federation to enhance effective management and coordination.
Mr Camara further said the forest and farm facility producer groups are engaged in a policy dialogue on how to access the market for forest products.
According to the FFF coordinator, the three pillars of the project include giving direct support in the form of small grants, to forest and farm facility producer groups.
He thanked FAO and the World Bank for funding the FFFF project, noting that their intervention complements the government’s efforts in combating desertification, and empowering communities to develop resilience in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Kemo Jabbi Gassama from the regional Governor’s office thanked FFF and FAO for their foresight, noting that the project would complement the government’s efforts in the protection, preservation of forest resources and sustainable natural resources management.
He called on people to support the FFF project in the quest to protect the forest.
Demba Sanyang of National Consulting Co. echoed similar sentiments, and said persistent use of cooking stoves would contribute to the reduction of fuelwood consumption.
He said the FFF project would be implemented in three districts of Niumi, Jokadou and Sabach Sanjal, and called on the beneficiary communities to be proactive in the management of forest resources.
Ebou Janha, the regional forestry officer, said the use of alternative energy would contribute immensely to protection of the forest.
He also called on farm and forest communities to promote the management of stoves, and to desist from the illegal destruction of the forest cover.
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