NATC, ADWAC hand over vegetable storage to SOLICITA group

The handing over ceremonies were held at the respective villages in the North Bank Region.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Lamin Queen Jammeh, thanked ADWAC for strengthening vegetable production and value addition to vegetables.

He said the storage facilities in the villages of Dasilami, Njaba Kunda and Conteh Niji would enhance vegetable production and improve the lives and livelihood of vegetables.

He applauded SOLIDAGRO for complementing food security and income at household levels.

Mamsamba Joof, executive director of ADWAC, said the project would support strengthening the capacity of women and empower them to take leading roles in mobilising resources to boost vegetable production.

Alhaji Mama Manneh, executive director of Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC), said the inaugurated storage facility in Conteh Niji is worth D280,000.

He said good governance and accountability of resources is key to the success of the project while commending Chief Alagie Jagne of Central Badibou and Mamadi Mabo Conteh of Conteh Kunda Niji for providing land for the construction of storage facilities in Njaba kunda and Conteh Kunda Niji respectively.

He noted that the facilities will help alleviate suffering of women in marketing and preservation of vegetables and onions.

He used the moment to call on beneficiary farmers to be vigilant on the sustenance of the storage facilities.

Mariama Sonko, president of SOLICITA or North Bank Women Vegetables Association, thanked the Belgium Cooperation for their support in the empowerment of women in vegetable production.

She noted that the storage facilities would contribute in providing marketing, value addition on onion and enhance preservation of products.

Mrs Sonko noted that the project would increase income for women and called on horticultural communities to work with the association.

She disclosed that over D200,000 was mobilised to kick start the operation.

She assured of her association’s support in providing marketing outlets on onion.

Kebba Ceesay, chairperson of Conteh Kunda Niji VDC, called on the people to be vigilant in the implementation of development projects so as to bring about sustainable livelihood development.