The training, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO), and the Ministry of Gender and Development was aimed at providing the women the basic practical skills in selecting, formulating, and applying feeds for healthy poultry production.
The project, titled "Improved Food Security and Nutrition through Economic Empowerment of Women", is a component of the United Nations and Government of Liberia's Joint Programme on Food Security and Nutrition in support of the national response to Food Price Increases and the Food Security and Nutrition Strategy.
It is being implemented by the Ministries of Gender and Development and Agriculture as well as FAO and UNDP, and funded by DANIDA.
Production of adequate bird feeds heavily depends on the availability of corn, cow peas, cassava, and other ingredients required for making the feeds. Because beneficiaries will have to grow these crops (cow peas, cassava, and corn) to use in feeds formulation, they were also taught the step-by-step procedure in preparing organic pesticides which are cheaper, safer, and can be locally made. The pesticides will be used against crop pests thus ensuring continued availability of enough feeds.
Mrs. Musu Barto, President of the Bong County Rural Women Structure, said: "We have 19 structures in 13 districts with 1,500 members (90% women). From this training we are going to start planting the crops and producing the feeds for our chickens."
She then lauded FAO, Government of Liberia, and other partners for the project assistance. "They started with us in 2008 and gave us power tillers, rice mills, rice threshers, and taught us how to operate them. Through this project we have bank accounts, are better organized, and do help ourselves through a savings scheme."
Rashida M. Vuku, Chairperson for Welekamai or "Love One Another" Structure in Sanoyea District and Vice President for Bong County Structure, said through the project, her group has acquired a concrete drying floor, poultry, hand pump, training, and the group was producing crops and tubers which they sold for income generation, family support, and seeds for planting. "Project is helping us because we produced chickens, beans, rice, vegetables, and sold them to restaurants in Gbarnga. Sometimes they can call us to supply them. We send our children to school and help ourselves with our susu (savings) club. Our group is getting bigger."
Meanwhile, Bong County Development Superintendent Hon. Anthony Sheriff, has challenged the women to continue doing good work for the development of Bong Country." He said he has attended three such activities involving the women under the DANIDA-funded project. "Every time, I participate in one of your activities, I am pleased over your achievements. Keep it up" to make Bong County number one among all others.
The project's National Coordinator, Mr Dickson George, said the purpose of the workshop was "to address the constraints of the past, improve on best practices, and increase production and income through the formulation and proper application of feeds." He continued: "This project is 100% for you the beneficiaries. If you work hard now, FAO and the Government will remember you in the future when new activities come up."
