By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Kenema City Council has trained farmers in both livestock production and improved Agronomic practices in crop production.
The training was supported by the European Union (EU) through the resilient strengthening local governance, decentralization and sustainable Urban Development through territorial Approach to local economic development project.
The two days training took place at Chinese farm, Abu road in Kenema on the 1st November, 2022.
In his statement, the Chief Administrator of Kenema City Council, Joseph TG Gando said, the council developed a proposal for local governance system under decentralization for sustainable urban development. He said, one of the key areas in the project was to capacitate farmers on livestock production and best agronomic practice of crop production in large scale.
‘’As a council, we are there to take development to our people and we recognize the role of farmers in food sustainability in the country,’’ he said.
He said they are working with the Ministry of Agriculture in building the farmers’ knowledge on livestock rearing and agro oractices.
Gando encouraged the farmers to take the training very important as he said; it will enable them to add value chain to their productivity. He added that, livestock management is one component that requires special skills especially detecting diseases that attack animals.
The Extension Officer from the Ministry of Agriculture who was also the lead facilitator of the training, Joe Mammah said farmers will be equipped in innovative livestock production.
He pointed out that, under the livestock rearing, they looked at goat, sheep and poultry while the crop production targeted inland valley swamp for rice cultivation and vegetable production. He added that, the participants were selected through the agricultural business center located at Lambayama .
The facilitator urged participants to go back in their various farmer organizations and train others.
‘’The extension division will only work with the council to guide our farmers for best agricultural productivities for the country,’’ he said.
Mammah reiterated that, a lot of the farmers have been on livestock production over the years with wealth of experience and that the training will build their capacity in terms of managing livestock and disease control, housing, feeding and accommodation.
One of the beneficiaries of the training from the Unity Women Agric-business enterprise, Mariama Kaloko referred to the training as important for them in livestock rearing. She said, the exercise g has given them additional knowledge on how to take care of their livestock and vegetable production.
‘’Livestock rearing is one of the fastest means of generating income,’’ she said.
She assured the organizers that upon completion of the training they will capacitate their counterparts.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (04/11/22)
