The two-day event brought together farmers, extension workers and agricultural specialists to interact and share best practices.
The event was also aimed that promoting learning and sharing of experiences, an approach established during the implementation of United Purpose (UP)- WACOMP project for which TARUD was an implementing partner.
The activity also forms of part TARUD’s one-year project which is funded by the UN-GEF SPF to implement Climate Resilience and Smallholder Household Food and Financial Security.
The project has supported 23 community gardens with inputs and built capacities of members to adopt climate resilience actions so as to scale up vegetable production and crop diversification among others, using the farmer field school approach.
It has also trained 60 facilitators from all the intervention gardens on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) reaching out to 3584 direct beneficiaries in the WCR.
At the event, Bai E. Jabang, executive director for TARUD, underscored the importance of the event in equipping gardeners with best agricultural practices, environmental resilience, horticultural skills and knowledge to boost vegetable production.
“Vegetable production has a bearing on women’s socio-economic development that will ensure food availability to households, tuition fees for students and other family needs.” he added.
He said local NGO often gathers farmers and extension officers to share knowledge and experiences in agricultural practices.
“Through that process farmers are able to learn from each other and share experience so that after the training they can be able to implement the knowledge gained to enhance social development.
He recalled that about two years ago, TARUD convened similar event which attracted about 120 women farmers in Foni Berefet, where they shared experience and knowledge on vegetable production.
The move, he added, has changed the farming styles of several women in the horticultural sector.
He revealed that this year’s meeting brought together women from 23 different community gardens the region, saying TARUD project has contributed to the development of several women gardens in the region citing Kalagi, Berefet among others.
Mr. Jabang commended their sponsors for the support, while calling on all to support the organisation in realising its dreams of empowering vegetable producers.
Bakary Gassama, Director of Agriculture for WCR, underscored the importance of the forum in empowering farmers with the needed skills to enhance their production.
Lamin Sanyang, alkalo of Berefet commended TARUD for organising such an important forum in his community. “You are all welcome in this community.” he said.
Kebba L. Jarju, GEF national coordinator, revealed that the GEF project is key in enhancing women’s socio-economic development in the region.
The project, he believes, would help to mitigate the impact of climate change in agricultural practice.
“They must phase-out; therefore, there is a need for you (the beneficiaries) to put sustainability mechanisms in place to enhance social development in gardens.” he advised.
Nyansa Touray, officer from United Purpose, also expressed similar sentiments.
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