NaLOA commence intensive training for butchers

The training,being held at its conference hallis funded by Swiss Cooperation through COFENABVI-OA, a livestock value chain body in West Africa based in Burkina Faso and organised by NaLOA with technical expert trainers from Department of Livestock Service (DLS).

Ebrima O. Jallow, president of National Livestock Owners Association, The Gambia explained that the training aims at linking livestock value change actors, especially farmers who are involved in the trade.

He added that the training also aims at building the capacity of Gambianlivestock value chain actors towards national food security, economic independence and employment.

Jallow emphasized the importance of meat hygiene, saying butchering is the end product of livestock and therefore urged butchers to handle their meat hygienically andwith care.

According to him, the way other West African countries handle meat is far better than The Gambia, noting that the training is therefore a step in the right direction.

He called on farmers, butchers, dealers and poultry farmers to be united in order to make a difference in the country.

Saja Kora, Marketing Officer for The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency said a butcher should be a good meat handler as well ashygienically in order to attract customers.

He added that most butchers in the country are not certified, saying they should be medically examined and if declared fit, be certified. He further said that butchers should also know the types of meat they sell to the population.

Musa Njie in his remarks on behalf of butchers, thanked both the organisers and funders of the training, saying health and hygiene are very important in anything one does.