By Haddy Touray
Thirty representatives of various sections of communities surrounding the Kiang West National Park (KWNP) have recently completed training in enterprise development aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Participants who underwent the training included: Site Management Committees (SMCs), Village Development Committees (VDCs), village heads and extension agents from communities surrounding the park.
The training was organized under a project implemented by the Gambia chapter of the West Africa Biodiversity Conservation Network (WABIONET), with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program.
The project seeks to strengthen integrated field and forest fire management, promote assisted natural regeneration in Kiang West National Park and support green enterprise development in communities surrounding the protected area.
According to WABIONET, the initiative is designed to improve the capacity of Site Management Committees to access business, marketing and financial services needed to sustain community-managed enterprises.
WABIONET business development trainer Demba Sanyang said the program would support the establishment of beekeeping and guinea fowl farming enterprises in the communities of Batelling, Dumbutu, Bajana, Kuli Kunda and Jali in Kiang West District.
The participants received training using the Market Analysis and Development (MA&D) approach, with a focus on developing community-based enterprises centered on non-wood forest products.
Women and young people accounted for 53 per cent of the participants.
According to the organizers, the training addressed capacity gaps in sustainable enterprise development and is expected to improve livelihood opportunities for communities that depend on the national park.
The program resulted in the preparation of five draft Enterprise Development Plans focusing on beekeeping and guinea fowl production.
The draft plans are expected to be validated within two weeks following consultations with the respective communities.