Nbr — The Livestock and Horticulture Development Project (LHDP), in partnership with the Regional Agricultural Directorate in Kerewan recently held a five-day capacity development training for 24 farmers on horticulture, group management, crop production, pest and disease management and marketing concept of farm produce, at Njawara.

Speaking at the event, Mustapha Saidy, the deputy governor of North Bank Region (NBR) underscored the importance government attaches to promoting all-year-round vegetable production. He noted that the training would enhance the capacity of farmers to increase vegetable production and adopt recommended practices to enhance income and contribute to poverty reduction.

He thanked the Regional Agricultural Directorate for the initiative, whilst commending the African Development Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for their support to the government's development blueprint.

Momodou Darboe, the Regional Livestock officer, revealed that LHDP has 350 farmers in animal production, poultry keeping, horticulture and pest management. He urged farmers to be proactive in employing recommended practices in their vegetable production. Darboe finaly called on farmers to promote networking and information sharing.

For his part, Ali Jawo of the Food Security through Commercialisation in Agriculture office in Kerewan, noted that the skills learnt would boost marketing of agricultural produce. He said processing and preservation would add value and income.