By Alhagie Babou Jallow
The North Bank Region’s Agro-ecology Platform recently wrapped up a 4-day training of trainers’ workshop on management tools, Agro-ecology, Agro-forestry, landscape development, and land use.
The training aimed to provide farmers and Multidisciplinary Facilitation Teams on techniques and skills for promoting the concept of agro-ecology to boost food production.
The initiative forms part of the activities of the European Union funded-Green Economy Project through Action Against Hunger. The synergy was held at Njawara Agricultural Training Centre in the North Bank Region.
Aladji Diack, Country Coordinator, Food Security, and Livelihood Action Against Hunger under Green Economy Project described the training and field visit to the Peace Corps Master Farmer farm at Toroba, as crucial in providing opportunities to share best farm practices. He noted that agro-ecology can help to promote innovations that are environmentally friendly to enhance ecosystem.
Mr Diack stressed the need for massive actions to reduce deforestation through joint actions such as planting more trees along farm boundaries.
Mama Manneh, Executive Director of Njawara Agricultural Training Centre, thanked EU for supporting farmers to adopt best agronomic practices to sustainable farming practices and environmental protection for sustainable food and environmental security in communities.
He affirmed the need to build the capacities of farmers on agro-ecology practices in order to boost food production and restoration of forest cover, mitigate effects of climate change, improve livelihood and promote adoption of best agronomic practices and environment protection.
Alpha Sey, Project Manager, Green Economy Project affirmed that the programme aims to harness the understanding of members and farmers to strengthen effective transfer of skills and knowledge on agroforestry, land use and landscape development. He said the lessons learnt on soil conservation practices through adoption of integrated agriculture should be promoted and enhanced.
As part of efforts to encourage farmers to conservation practices through agroforestry, Njawara Agricultural Training Centre and partners transferred appropriate skills to selected farmers on the benefits of agro ecology and restoration of degraded forest cover.
MomodouLoum, Peace Corp Master Farmer of Toroba called on youths to take up agriculture in value integrated farm practices using organic manure and discourage the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
NCCE and GFD Sensitise Stakeholders on Person with Disability ACT
By Alhagie Babou Jallow
National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) in collaboration with The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), with funding from UNICEF Gambia, recently organised a regional stakeholders’ sensitisation on the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021 under the theme: “The role of local authorities in ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities”.
The sensitisation will be held in all seven administrative regions of The Gambia.
The activity seeks to raise awareness of stakeholders such as regional and traditional authorities, security services, persons with disabilities, youth, children, and women groups on the content and principles of the Person with Disability Act, and to advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities particularly women and children in all spheres of life.
Yusupha Bojang, Programme Manager at National Council for Civic Education reiterated the importance of the popularisation of the Disability Act and ensuring institutions, organisations and communities provide needed support for disabled societies. He noted that the Act strongly advocates total protection and rights of persons with disabilities.
He expressed concern about institutions to cater for sign language interpreters at health facilities, schools, and police stations to enable the disabled to get right services and promote human rights.
Bakary Jammeh, Acting Chief of Upper Badibou, thanked the National Council for Civic Education, the Gambia Federation of the Disabled, and UNICEF for the popularisation of the Disability ACT. He assured of the district authority’s fullest support to the implementation of the Act..
For his part, Lamin Fatty, Executive Director of The Gambia Federation of the Disabled said that the outreach programme is fundamental in promoting and protecting the fundamental human rights of disabled people in society. He said the national legal instruments will guide and protect the welfare of all.
Omar Trawally, representative of the Office of the Chairman of Kerewan Area Council, described the engagement as important in strengthening good governance and respect for human rights. He noted that the Act will enhance all-inclusive participation in development and promote the rights of people with disabilities.
