By Haruna Kuyateh
Support and Advocacy for Sustainable Production (SAPOF) Project has disbursed six hundred and sixty thousand dalasis (D660,000.00) to 22 beneficiaries to support entrepreneurship and agribusiness development in rural Gambia.
The beneficiaries, including persons with disabilities, received the funds after completing three-day training on: entrepreneurship, financial literacy, marketing, financial management and social media management in Kerewan, North Bank Region.
The training, organized by ActionAid International The Gambia in collaboration with the Njawara Agricultural Training Centre, as part of European Union-funded project, brought together participants from the North Bank, Lower River and Central River Regions.
SAPOF Project Manager Saikou F. Bah described the training as an important step in strengthening the entrepreneurial and business management skills of the beneficiaries to promote sustainable livelihoods.
He said the D660,000 would enable the beneficiaries to establish or expand agribusiness ventures and strengthen agricultural value chains.
Bah also disclosed that the project has established compost production chambers at Sare Birom in Upper Badibou, Dalaba in Niamina and Balanghar in Lower Saloum, urging farmers to make effective use of organic manure to improve food production and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Executive Director of the Njawara Agricultural Training Centre, Alpha Sey, said the training was designed to transform participants’ entrepreneurial mindset and encourage business diversification.
He added that both ActionAid International The Gambia and the Njawara Agricultural Training Centre would monitor the implementation of the supported businesses to ensure the project’s objectives are achieved.
Lead trainer Yama Samateh Lowe of the Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce says entrepreneurship is keyed to strengthening small businesses, expanding market opportunities and promoting value addition through improved packaging and labelling.
She said the financial support would help improve rural livelihoods by enabling beneficiaries to invest in activities such as animal husbandry, vegetable seed businesses and other income-generating enterprises.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Jainaba Jallow of Sotokoi in Sami District and Fatou Saidy of Nuimi Bakalarr thanked ActionAid International The Gambia for the support and pledged to implement their business projects successfully.