Over 50 stakeholders awarded certificates on food preservation

Over fifty farmers in small and medium-scale enterprises were awarded certificates of appreciation after successfully attended a three-day intensive farmers training on nutrition and value chain approach in relation to gender mainstreaming in agriculture.

The training, which brought the farmers from West Coast Region, Lower River Region and Central River Region South, was organised by the department of agriculture and funded by the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP).

The training upgraded the knowledge of the farmers on food processing, food preservation, packaging, labeling, nutrition and other aspects.

Speaking on Friday at the closing ceremony held in Lower River Region, Seedy Fofana, head of food technology services unit under the department of agriculture, who was also one of the resource persons, said that by their participation in the workshop, the farmers had demonstrated commitment in ensuring the production of hygiene food in the country.

He said the topics discussed at the meeting included food hygiene, food packaging and principles of food processing, food preservation, tomato jam and pepper source.

The object of the training is also to build the capacity of farmers for them to be able to add value to their produce to minimize post-harvest losses and create better income as their livelihood.

“The expected outcome of the training is to provide job opportunities on food processing, food preservation, pepper source, packaging, and labeling, as these are also businesses which are very marketable by farmers and can also earn them a better living,” he said.

In his closing remarks, the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Asheme Cole, commended the department of agriculture under the horticultural unit for “the bold initiative” in building the capacity of the farmers.

“Capacity building is a big challenge and it is one of the key priorities the Ministry of Agriculture is focusing on,” he said.

He also applauded WAAPP for funding the training, saying it will go a long way in helping the farmers to venture into small and medium-scale businesses.