In São Tomé and Príncipe, the African Development Bank helps train a new generation of farmers and fishermen

Funded to the tune of $ 7 million by the African Development Bank, the project contributes to helping rural communities in the country.

Paulina Barbosa has been selling fish for 30 years in São Tomé, the largest island in the archipelago. “I was accompanying my mother, who sold fish. I learned with her. She sold in the street, carried the fish on her head, without hygiene, recalls Paulina. There weren't as many customers back then as there are today. " Since 2014, the young woman has been training. And things have changed in São Tomé. “Today we have a market. We sell fish in good hygienic conditions. I was taught to smoke fish, salt it and sell good quality fresh fish. I use ice for preservation. I have more clients and more income that allows me to provide for my family, ”she says. Alfredo Rompão is a farmer. Before, the lack of passable roads was a real problem for his business. Today he has great motivation to work in the fields. “With access to the news I can produce more because I can afford to transport and sell my products more easily. In addition, I received training. My job allows me to support my family. We lack nothing, ”says Alfredo, with satisfaction. Paulina and Alfredo are among the 4,000 farmers and 3,000 fishermen and fishmongers benefiting from phase 1 of the Food Security Support Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (PRIASA). Funded to the tune of $ 7 million by the African Development Bank, the project helps to help rural communities in the country. It aims to modernize infrastructure, train professionals and help communities to produce and sell better quality agricultural and fishing products in sufficient quantity. “PRIASA has improved the access of goods and products to new markets,” says Ayarra Trigueiros, project coordinator. We have contributed to training in order to diversify production techniques and introduce new methods to increase agricultural production. For the fishing sector, we are working to improve the sale of products with the renovation of markets. " The project also provides opportunities for training in research, which play an important role in agriculture on the various islands of the archipelago. Two main agricultural research centers in São Tomé and Príncipe, including CATAP (Center for Technical Improvement of Agriculture), received assistance from PRIASA with the aim of achieving better productivity through the use of technology. Ineias Trindade is an agronomy student at CATAP. “I worked in agriculture for six or seven years and I see that in São Tomé and Príncipe, agriculture is at a very good level. We have a favorable climate. In the future, we may become less dependent on imported food products, "the young man hopes. Ineias is convinced that by combining natural resources with new infrastructure and adequate training, the country can become more self-reliant while ensuring better food security. “São Tomé and Príncipe has everything it takes to become an agricultural powerhouse: the climate is good, the soil fertile, and 60% of the population works in the agricultural sector,” he explains. To ensure that the benefits are multiplied for the next generation, the project is creating a workforce of well-trained professionals concerned with sustainable agriculture. Phase 2 of PRIASA was launched in 2016. The African Development Fund, the Bank Group's concessional rate lending window, contributed to it through a loan of $ 16 million. Phase 2 aims to renovate more roads, build more markets and train more islanders.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor