By: Saidu Jalloh
Farmers in Yataya and surrounding communities in Koinadugu District have welcomed the establishment of a new one-stop-shop facility, which promises to significantly improve vegetable production and enhance rural livelihoods.
The facility, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (AVDP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), aims to boost vegetable cultivation and support smallholder farmers in the region.
During the handing-over ceremony, Program Manager Madam Monica Kwame-Greene emphasized the importance of ensuring a sustainable water supply for farmers. She explained that this initiative is part of broader efforts to empower women and youth in rural areas, enabling them to earn a decent income while strengthening food security in the region.
The Paramount Chief of Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom, PC Gbawuru Mansaray III, expressed gratitude on behalf of the community. He thanked both the government and IFAD for providing the center and assured stakeholders that the facility, which includes post-harvest equipment, would be well-maintained and fully utilized to expand vegetable farming.
“These facilities will enable our communities to engage in large-scale, year-round vegetable cultivation, providing farmers with the opportunity to increase their income, support their families, and contribute to the development of the community,” Chief Mansaray stated.