By: Haruna Kuyateh
The North Bank Regional Marketing Federation (SOLICITA) has made a counterpart contribution of one million dalasis (D1,000,000.00) for the construction of a cold storage facility at Ndungu Kebbeh in the Lower Nuimi District, North Bank Region.
The President of the federation, Fatoumata Jagne, said the support provided under the ROOTS Project, particularly the vegetable seed subsidy has enhanced timely nursery preparation and transplanting, thereby boosting production and income for farmers.
Speaking during media briefing at SOLICITA’s headquarters in Kerewan on Monday, Jagne thanked the ROOTS Project for its invaluable contribution to the federation, especially in empowering women vegetable producers through access to high-quality seeds and capacity building.
She said the timely delivery of inputs reduced the burden on women involved in vegetable marketing, adding that the provision of two tricycles by the project has improved transportation of produce to markets. She also noted that capacity-building initiatives on good governance have promoted participation and accountability within the federation.
For her part, Haddy Joof, Secretary General of SOLICITA, expressed satisfaction with the federation’s efforts to realize its long-standing goal, noting that the cold storage facility will add value to produce and help address post-harvest losses.
Commenting on the Agricultural Value Chain Interaction Platform (AVIP), she said the platform has created market linkages among producers, input dealers, processors, marketers and transporters, while strengthening coordination, collaboration and networking among stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Babu Nyass, Manager of the SOLICITA Federation North Bank Region chapter, praised women and communities for their sustained active membership. He said the D1 million payment forms part of the federation’s annual plan to ensure the commencement of work on the cold storage facility.
Nyass added that since its establishment in 2021, SOLICITA has registered 73 groups across the region and annually provides them with improved high-yielding seeds to boost production and strengthen market linkages.