PROGEBE regional committee visits project sites

As part of activities marking the 6th Regional Steering Committee for Sustainable Management of Endemic Ruminant Livestock meeting in West Africa (PROGEBE Gambia project), the committee members were recently taken on a two-day field visit to the project intervention sites.

The visit which seeks to give members the opportunity to get first hand information about the project, took them to Niamina East in the Central River Region southand Kiang West in the Lower River Region, to enable them compare and relate to what has been seen in the reports.

Speaking at Jareng Livestock Market, Mr. Saja Kora, PROGEBE’s Site Coordinator for Niamina East, who noted that prior to the project intervention there was no marketing structure in place, said when the livestock farmers heard about PROGEBE project they decided to approach him and after due processes they were accorded the project.

He also recognised communities’ contributions, which he said, had been channelled through the Village Development Committees.

“Today, the market is in place and several facilities including water, office space, toilets, feed store, waiting shed, load ramp and solar power light,” he said.

For his part, Amat Jawo, the President of Passali Cattle Dealers Association, said the organisation is a combination of the three Niaminas: (Niamina East, West and Dankunku), with a total membership of 80 livestock farmers, including women.

According to him, PROGEBE project facilitated for his organisation to access credit from Social Development Fund at a tune of one million dalasi which was distributed to 32 interested members of the organisation to support the smooth operation of their businesses.

“I am happy to announce that already 50% of the loans have been paid as agreed,” Jawo said.

The next stop was at Juwaking Community Forest, just about a kilometre away from Jareng village where a short meeting was held.

The entourage received a rousing welcome, amidst singing and dancing, portraying the importance of maintaining the forest park, free from all anthropogenic activities.

Ms. Isatou Jarjue, a forester said the forest park is 32 ha in size and they received support from the PROGEBE project in the form of seedlings to transplant in the said forest.

She commended Dr. Sanyang and his staff for what she described as their timely intervention in the crusade to preserve the forest parks.

Meanwhile, the team also visited projects in Bamba Kolong and Kerr Omar Daho water facility.