Addax certifies 483 farmers
The was a great jubilation at the Magbansaw Village, Malal Mara Chiefdom in the Tonkolili District where Addax Bioenergy Limited graduated those that have completed a comprehensive training in agriculture and food processing. 253 men and 230 women were issued with certificates after thirty weeks of training within the company operational area. Since 2010 the Farmer Field and Life School (FFS) has produced over 1, 800 graduates, 49 percent of these have been men and 51 percent women. The graduation ceremony held over the weekend brings the total to 2, 283 graduates.
John Moult is the company’s General Manager. He told his audience that the FFS was set up to prepare and inspire local communities and farmers to greater achievement in agriculture and food production in and around the Addax Operation area. “We want graduates to form Farmer based Organizations to make better use of the land that has been opened by the improved road systems and the support facilities for new agricultural enterprises,” says the General Manager, and added that “ we are short of farmers to take up the opportunities presented as a result of the Addax operations.” Mr. Moult urged the grandaunts to mobilize and work together with the company to expand and improve agriculture and to set an example of what can be achieved in the country.
Senior Trainer, Sahr Komba said they have trained about 90 Farmer Field Schools over the years, but only ten are effectively implementing what they were taught. The training, he said is done in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and IITA. Training materials, he said were provided on various fields like aquaculture, rice and vegetable cultivation, food processing etc.
Clive English is the company’s Social Affairs and Farmer Development Manager. He said the grandaunts must present themselves as a brighter example for others to emulate. “I hope to see many farmers transforming to farm entrepreneurs in the Operation Area,” he said, and noted that the company will open 1, 000 acres of farm land at Makarie Gbanti Chiefdom. This is in addition to 5, 000 acres opened already in the Bombali and Tonkolili Districts.
Joseph Brima is the Assistant FAO Representative for Programmes. He said 70 percent of the country’s population practice some form of agriculture, but this cannot be translated to what agriculture is creating. He commended the FFS approach used by Addax, which is applied by most countries. He expressed frustration over the non compliance of most of the Famer Field Schools trained over the years. “FAO trust Addax that the initial design of the project will not be shifted,” Mr. Brima said.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security in her statement said FFS is a technology used to help farmers access many opportunities in agriculture productivity. Hon. Marie Jalloh said agriculture has moved beyond small scale to commercialization farming. She pointed out that farmers are the richest in the world; and added that Addax must help those graduating are transformed to access Agriculture Business Centres.
The Deputy Minister admonished the grandaunts to take up the venture to move beyond their present level. Government, she said will be there to help them promote agriculture for business.
Abu Bakarr Kargbo
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