By: Modou Touray
In a bid to attract potential funders for business plans of Market Federations and Small and Medium Enterprises, WACOMP/UNIDO held an interactive cocktail reception yesterday evening at Metzy Residence.
Since its inception four years ago, the West African Competitiveness Programme has been implemented by UNIDO and has been supporting the horticulture value chain and Quality Infrastructure in the Gambia, funded by the European Union.
Speaking on the Programme overview, Mr. Saikou Suwareh Jabai, the WACOMP/ UNIDO Communication and Visibility Expert, revealed that the project has assisted vegetable gardeners with training and provision of essential equipment to enhance Their production and productivity.
He added that showcasing and launching the various business plans aimed at making their Market Federations business viable and sustainable as an enterprise.
“It’s a platform to interact with farmers. The purpose is to sell the business plans to them. Each business plan is unique in its nature.” he added.
Mr Lamin Saho, a consultant who assisted in developing their business plans, asserted that the process was participatory and interactive, capturing inputs from each group member.
” The first process was to do a diagnosis study, which deals with who they are, what they do, and what their plans are. I worked with them, and felt happy with their plans”
Some of the Market Federations also spoke to this medium and elaborated on their plans. Among them is Amie Krubally who represented the Foni Berefet Women Gardeners.
” We work hard, but post-harvest loss is a key impediment to our production. We are thereby lobbying for a modern cool store to preserve our produce.” She said as stipulated in their business plan.
For Kumba Jallow of Jahaur in CRR, they intend to intensify onion production if essential support is given.
It could be recalled that, since the inception of the UNIDO’s WACOMP project, 120 gardens have benefited from training and equipment under the horticulture value chain. Equally, stakeholders also received material important for their functions as part of The Quality Infrastructure component.
