By Newman Anthony Levey in Bo
75 youths in Bo district are to undergo training on various agricultural skills by the Sierra Agro-based Industries and Services Limited following the launch of the skills development project by the industry with the aim of boosting job opportunities.
Farmers are to be trained on the aspects of finance, leadership skills, agriculture, business management, marketing, and administration.
The Project Coordinator and Lead Consultant, Harold F. Macarthy, said that the project was being implemented by government as another flagship project with priority on agriculture and food security.
He said the government saw the significance in building skills based on agricultural values, noting that everyone should look at agriculture with utmost importance as government embarks on supporting those who have little knowledge before to improve their skills.
Macarthy stated that the aim is for agriculture to benefit the farmers and confirmed that line government ministries have assured the availability of experts across the rural farming communities because 80% of agricultural practice in Sierra Leone is done in the rural areas.
He used the opportunity to highlight progress made in other areas such as investment in the “Bo Garri” processing factory in terms of value addition due to its importance in demand.
On garri production itself he said: "When we have satisfied the local market, we will go for the export market”.
Macarthy said the project is for all, as some people do not have access to formal education but now want to develop their skills in agriculture.
The Managing Director for Sierra Agro-based Industries and Services Limited, Rashid Conteh said the overall objectives of the initiative is in line with the Ministry of Finance’s emphasis on skills development projects to create a demand led skills system that supports the country’s economic development and poverty reduction initiative.
Conteh noted that the project would support the government’s overall human capacity and development efforts.
The Councillor of Ward 300 in Selenga Chiefdom, Bo district, Alhaji Kamara said the district council would support the project, and was hopeful that through funding by the World Bank, Bo district will be producing sustainable food.
Copyright ©Politico Online (20/06/22)
