Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Agriculture Rural Farmers Training Center (ARFTC), which was established by the Indonesian government on July 14, 1998, has increased agricultural production of Gambian farmers, the Indonesian Embassy in Amman, Jordan, has said.
The center which was established on an area covering 6.6 hectares of land is located in Jenoi, about 180 kilometers from Gambia¿s capital of Banjul, a press statement from the embassy was quoted by Antara here on Sunday.
The Gambian Minister of Agriculture, Ismaila Sanyang, said ARFTC is a real form of cooperation between Indonesia and Gambia.
The training center has been an agriculture center of excellence for farmers in Gambia and also those in West African region countries.
Besides establishing the training center, Indonesia has also sent agricultural experts and extension workers, organized an internship program for Gambian farmers in Indonesia and provided them with agricultural equipment and machinery.
In 2008, Indonesia sent 12 hand tractors for Gambian farmers.
Until now Indonesia has trained more than 6,000 Gambian farmers and those from surrounding countries, such as Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau and Guinea Conakry.
The latest training on agriculture which was organized by Indonesia for Gambian farmers was held on March 21 ¿ 28, 2016 in Gambia.
This program was continued in Lembang, West Java, Indonesia from April 1 to 12, 2016 participated in by the farmers from Madagascar, Gambia, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia as well as local participants from several provinces of eastern Indonesia.
The Director of ARFTC, Asumana Njaedi, expressed thanks and appreciation to Indonesia which has helped develop the agricultural sector and held a variety of trainings for Gambia and other African countries.
The trainings organized by Indonesia have benefited the farming techniques development and increased the added value of agricultural products of farmers in West Africa region. (WDY)
