Thursday, November 8, 2012

Agribusiness fair to link stakeholders in food chain

PHOTO BY M.E. NJIE
An Agribusiness Fair dubbed “Lumo in the city” slated for November 11-17, 2012 at Dream Park, Senegambia, is intended to create linkages between farmers, fishermen, and gardeners consumers, buyers and suppliers in an effective manner.
 
The organisers said on Tuesday that bringing together stakeholders in the food chain will enhance effective communication between the business sector and the community at large. More than 65 participants are expected to attend the fair.


Co-organised by Tefa Global Solutions, which provides services and solutions to businesses, and the National Coordination of Farmers Associations The Gambia (Nacofag), the fair is also meant to explore the correct mechanism between market demand and supply at national and regional level, and as well enable NACOFAG members and its partners to have proper information sharing of the market, its demand and effective income generation.

Lumo, in vernacular, means weekly market held at different central points and time in rural villages of the Gambia, Tefa Global Solutions’ Mariama Fatajo explains during a November 6 press briefing held at her office in Kololi, a small town in Kombo north district, West coast region. Lumo in the City is not the same lumo many Gambians are familiar with. It comes full of information, access and entertainment which makes the event unique and first-ever in the country. 

“Coming into the city, the lumo provides a one stop solution to our farmers, fishermen, gardeners, and food processors so that they have access to agriculture extension support, inputs and other services, credit, market linkage, and infrastructures, and most importantly provide alternative livelihood especially during non farming season,” Mrs. Fatajo said.  

The Lumo in the City will coincide with the IFAD International Forum which will be hosted by The Gambia Government. It will be in four main pillars: Exhibition and sales of fresh agric products, dry/ bottled processed products, suppliers or service providers, and showcase of government project and efforts to help propel the agribusiness in the country; Livelihood trainings and business creations; Agribusiness Award for Excellence 2012; Symposia, information exchange, discussion and entertainment never seen before in the Gambia.

Officials: Tefa, Nacofag, Concern Universial (Cu)/PHOTO/M.E.NJIE
“Support to farmers and others stakeholders to attend this Lumo in the city will have a direct impact on small-scale producers and agribusiness-creation in The Gambia,” Muhamadou Fayinkeh, President of Nacofag said.

While noting partners in this fair include the Food and Agricultural Organisation (Fao) office in The Gambia, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Agricultural Research Institute (Nari), Mr. Fayinkeh announced that workshops will hold during the course of seven days.

These include Small Business Management; Mushroom Culture; Commercial Cake and Bread Making and Bakery Management; Poultry Production and Management; Fruit Juices and Purees; Bath and Laundry Soap Making; and Shoe Making. 

Written by Modou S. Joof

Follow on Twitter: @thenorthbankeve 

Follow on Facebook: The-North-Bank-Evening-Standard

1 comment:

  1. Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using?
    Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish
    my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

    Here is my web blog: Idro Therapy Review

    ReplyDelete

The views expressed in this section are the authors' own. It does not represent The North Bank Evening Standard (TNBES)'s editorial policy. Also, TNBES is not responsible for content on external links.