News and Events

DoF hands over fish preservation coolers, gloves, to 250 women through FAO TCP project

• February 14th, 2022
• Fatou B. Cham, Information Officer, Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters

The distribution of these items is part of FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) “Support the sustainable products and marketing of fish and vegetable products for Urban/Peri-urban women” targeting mostly women fish traders who use coolers, refrigerators, or insolated boxes to reduce fish spoilage.

Abdoulie B. Jallow, Fisheries Officer who also couples as the TCP focal point, said that the TCP project is designed to support women in the urban and pre-urban areas in handling fish and fisheries products.

According to him, the TCP has three components which include the training of women on fish handling, provision of fish handling equipment, (250 cooler, 152 tarpaulins, 152 pair of gloves, 152 knives, 152 aprons, and 152 buckets), and the construction of the FAO Thiaroye Technology (FTT) in Banjul.

He further explained the objectives of the project which according to him, are to increase and improve the provision of goods and services from fisheries in a sustainable manner and as well as to strengthen fisheries Value Chains for Income Generation and Employment Creation.

In addition, Mr. Jallow narrated that the TCP aims at strengthening the capacity of fish processors and traders, especially women, through the production of high-quality fish products using the newly introduced FTT and cold chain equipment to improve food security and income opportunities for women fish smokers.

Babou Cham, President, Banjul Beach Landing Site Association, expressed gratitude to the donors adding that gestures like this should be encouraged in other to help local fish vendors especially women fish in the sector.

He further pleaded with the stakeholders to assist the landing site with a sanitary facility because the existing ones are not in good shape.

Bintou Janneh, a fish vendor at Banjul Fishmarket, stated the importance of the donated items and elaborated that the tarpaulins would prevent fish from touching the ground after it has been harvested from the sea.

Modou Cham, manager, Bakoteh Fish Market described the intervention as timely and important, stating that the materials donated would really enhance the women in the fishing industry.

According to him, among the things affecting the fish market is the unavailability of ice and the unavailability of storage facilities in the center, while appealing to the stakeholders to help in addressing the situation.

Fatou Cham, a beneficiary at Wassu, CRR, also acknowledged the significance of the received items.

She further urged the recipients to engage in the proper utilization of the donated materials in other for it to be effective.