New project to boost women and youth development in Agriculture

Two governemnt departments have teamed up to provide an opportunity for female farmers to expand their production of four specific agricultural products.
The Support for Women in Agriculture for increased Production (SWAP) was launched yesteday in the Bolans community.
The project, being spearheaded by the ministries of Agriculture and Social Transfomation, aims to empower poor and vulnerable women and youth by engaging them in activities that will enable them to have a sustainable livelihood relating to the production of ginger, cassava, sweet potato, and passion fruit.
Ten female farmers with existing lands will participate in the pilot phase of the programme, which will eventually be extended to other communities and to young people who are interested in farming .
Junior  Minister of Agriulture Samantha Marshall said the programme will also encourage the formation of farming cooperatives within the communities.
“It is hoped that this programme will help to encourage local production and consumption; address any market shortfalls; reduce food importations and create opportunities for entrepreneurship and empoyment opportunties,” Marshall said.
Senior Extension Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture Serano Benjamin said the project comes at a time when farmers are looking to plant ginger to meet the demands of the yuletide season.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)