The Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (AVDP) has recently certified 44 Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) technicians in Bo City.

Amidst smiles and a palpable sense of optimism, these technicians were awarded their certificates, marking the commencement of a transformative journey toward the development, rehabilitation, and cultivation of inland valley swamps.

Monica Kwame Greene, the program manager of AVDP, highlighted the crucial role of these technicians in empowering farmers with the technical expertise needed to effectively develop their swamps. She emphasized the importance of implementing water control structures to optimize cropping cycles, ultimately leading to increased productivity.

The training provided by AVDP was not merely theoretical; it was deeply immersive and practical. Participants were immersed in hands-on demonstrations across various swamps in Bo City, equipping them with the necessary skills and confidence to undertake swamp development initiatives.

Armed with shovels and fueled by unwavering determination, the technicians embarked on labor-intensive tasks in Bo City Swamps, honing their skills in swamp development techniques. The overarching objective is to disseminate their expertise nationwide, with a focus on cultivation, rehabilitation, and climate change resilience measures to mitigate post-harvest losses. These proficient technicians will be strategically stationed in diverse communities to showcase their capabilities.

Issatu Kanu, one of the certified swamp technicians from Bombali District, articulated her commitment to utilizing the knowledge acquired from the AVDP training program to drive tangible change in her community.

AVDP has set an ambitious target for 2024, aiming to develop, rehabilitate, and cultivate 2,332 hectares of Inland Valley Swamps (IVS) nationwide. This target, while ambitious, is deemed achievable through the concerted efforts of motivated youths, marking a significant stride towards realizing the objectives of the Feed Salone Project and generating job opportunities for the youth population.