[Banjul, The Gambia– 10th October 2017]
Agriculture is an important sector in The Gambian economy and one of the priority areas of development, offering a great potential for value adding processing and transformation of agricultural products, for both the local and international markets.
The International Trade Center (ITC) and the Food Safety and Quality Authority of The Gambia (FSQA) are embarking on a 3-year journey to skill, equip and deploy young entrepreneurs in nation-wide food safety schemes. The initiative is part of a wider agri-food-related business start-up and improvement support programmes aiming to foster employment generation, economic growth and development in The Gambia.
A series of trainings and awareness raising campaigns will be rolled out throughout The Gambia via an initial pool of food safety trainers. With technical assistance from the International Trade Centre, FSQA will equip youth with knowledge and methods to implement food safety measures such as Good Agricultural Practices, Good Hygiene Practices, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, offering high quality training and mentorship support to beneficiary food businesses (e.g. kiosks, retailers, restaurants, agricultural producers, food processors and other related operators). Dramas and radio shows on aflatoxin control, a major threat to consumer health and international trade, are also among the planned activities.
It is envisaged that the deployment of the pool of trainers will result in higher food safety compliance, consumer protection, reduced losses while increasing the competitiveness of businesses, thus contributing to the viability and growth potential of the food and services sectors.
About YEP
The Gambia Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is a four-year project that aims to supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship in the country to address the economic root causes of irregular migration. It is funded by the European Union (EU) Emergency Trust Fund for Africa with a total budget of EUR 11 million. By improving the employability of youth, especially potential and returning migrants, increasing income opportunities along value chains and helping young entrepreneurs to connect to trade and tap into the digital economy, this project aims to change the current migration trends and contribute to building the long-term growth and economic competitiveness of The Gambia.
About ITC
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. The organisation’s aim is for businesses in developing countries to become more competitive in global markets, speeding up economic development and contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
About the Trust Fund
The European Union’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa addresses the root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa. More specifically, it helps address the root causes of destabilisation, forced displacement and irregular migration by promoting economic and equal opportunities, strengthening security, development and resilience of vulnerable people.
For more information, please visit:
Website: https://yep.gm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yepgambia/
Twitter: @YEPGambia
Hash tag: #YEPGambia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yepgambia/
Media enquiries, please direct to:
Fatou Mbenga Jallow
Project Coordinator and Senior Technical Adviser – Gambia YEP
Tel. +220 3616993; +220 9662895
fjallow@intracen.org / yep@intracen.org
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