A six-day training from the 19th-24th October 2020 on Cocoa Quality Management with funds from the International Trade Center (ITC) for Cocoa Cooperatives, Exporters, Agencies and Produce Monitoring Board (PMB) has started at the Sahara Hotel in Bo.
The training presents an opportunity to Cocoa Cooperatives and other stakeholders to develop a positive attitude in enhancing quality in Cocoa Management.
The Executive Chairman PMB, Dr James Vibbi underscored the viability of farming to the development of a country citing Ivory Coast and Ghana as some of the leading Cocoa Producing countries that have impacted their countries. He called on the Cooperatives, Exporters and Agencies to put more interest in farming and develop the skills and knowledge in enhancing quality on Cocoa management so that it positively impacts both the individual and the country. He also spoke of the importance of inclusive cooperate governance.
According to the Executive Chairman, PMB is poised in ensuring quality is maintained in the Production value chain for market expansion. He said the training is a replication of the last training in Kenema and this time around has the largest number of participants.
He expressed the hope that the Cooperatives roll out the knowledge gained to their colleagues and inculcate a positive attitude towards their membership in their Cooperatives.
He also expressed the hope that in the next two years, Sierra Leone will expand its Cocoa production to more than 20-25 thousand tonnes
The National Coordinator ITC Wahab Lera-Shaw spoke of the support of ITC to Farmers through PMB with capacity building programmes. He expressed delight on the progress PMB is making in organising a Cocoa of Excellence National Competition which will position Sierra Leone to compete at the International Cocoa of Excellence. He also impressed with PMB on gains made at the international level. He registered his institution continued support to PMB and the farmers.
The Director of PMB Didan Sankoh said the PMB will be embarking on training of farmers on block farming and Cooperative Management. He underscored the importance of farming to the improvement of the country’s economy.
He acknowledged the commitment of the Facilitators Mr Abdul Qadir Turay and Osman Kargbo to the success of the training. He expressed the hope that they continue to be committed to their job.
