The officials of Rotary Club of Edmonds in Washington,
USA, in collaboration with Njawara Agricultural Training Centre recently
visited garden project sites in North Bank Region.
The visit aimed to assess the level of project implementation and discuss the way forward, so as to effectively contribute to food self-sufficiency and nutritional development of families.
Pat Thorpe, the Club Administrator and Past President expressed delight at the involvement of women in vegetable production.She lauded Njawara Agricultural Training Centre for attaching human resource development on vegetable production and efficient use of fund to support women in vegetable production. She said the initiative was aimed at empowering women to be self-reliant and supplement nutritional development at household level.
Lamin PF Manneh, the Past President of Rotary Club of Edmonds expressed delight at their partnership with Njawara Agricultural Training Centre.He said Rotary Club has attached great importance in supporting women farmers to effectively contribute to poverty reduction and women empowerment.
Lori Parsons, World Chair and RI Foundation in United State noted that her association values supporting women in promoting women horticultural gardening, citing provision of wells and fencing materials provided to women.
The Rotary Club of Edmonds of Washington, State of United State of America officials lauded Njawara Agricultural Training Centre for promoting transparency and openness in their project implementation.
The team, which visited Konteh Kunda Niji, Katchang, Illiasa, Jajari and India of Upper Baddibu in the North Bank Region, also presented 12, 000 dollars to Njawara Agricultural Training Centre, to support the beneficiary communities in addressing some of their priority needs.
Badara Jobe, the outgoing Director of NATC applauded Rotary Club of Edmonds for the support and then assured them of the centre’s commitment in supporting farmers.
Mamanding Drammeh, the President of Katchang Women Group hailed the contributions of Rotary Club for supporting women, to actively engage in vegetable production.
The women gardeners also praised the donors for their timely intervention, noting that it has enabled them to increase vegetable production.
Sambou Dampha, the President of Rice Growers Association in the North Bank Region, who spoke well of the intervention of the donors, lauded the support of Njawara Agricultural Training Centre in building farmers’ capacities on best farming practices and vegetable production.
He used the opportunity to re-echo the concerns of women in launching an appeal to donors and institutions to support women in areas, such as drilling of borehole, public toilet facilities, among other things.
