July 9, 2021
By Dadson A. Musa
In an attempt to boost agricultural production in the country the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has commenced the training of tractor operators in Bo and Sumbuya. The age group that this training targets is mainly youth. And the program intends to strike a gender balance. It is the first formal training ever which is different completely from the others.
The first batch of trainees was 50 in number. 25 for Bo and 25 for Sumbuya. And the second batch of training which is ongoing is targeting 75 trainees. 50 will go to Sumbuya and 25 will stay here in Bo.
This project is being coordinated among Youths Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and IOM. It is financed by the IOM while Agriculture ministry provides the trainees. The training is guided by manual which is well researched. Speaking to this medium, the lead trainer, engineer, Lordrick Momoh” this training is different from the others because it targets the operation of the tractor, maintenance and repairs “.
According to him some tractors are getting spoilt due to “haphazard ” training in the past which is what they intend to deviate from and correct. One of the trainees in the first batch, Hawa Mansaray is helping to train the others. She said the new expertise has “given me hope in life as I can now earn a decent living “.
This training if cascaded round the country will help with mechanization and commercialization of agriculture in the country. With this, food security will become a reality in this country.