U.S Embassy in coloboration with UNDP provided $70,398.90 grants to OPARD-SL the purpose of the grant is to undertaking the production, processing and marketing of locally produced food crops into juices, jams and preserved vegetation. This project is aimed at providing an alternative source of income foe unemployed, Ex-combatant and commercial sex workers. This grant from the U.S. Government will provided the materials to construct and furnish the processing complex. 

PROJECT RATIONALE

The local food production and processing is a project designed in two fold, firstly to transform and engaged youth farmers that are already involved themselves into the production and marketing of cannabis as a way of achieving a livelihood , as an alternative.  Thus provide sustainable sources of generating income and gained self-employment.   Secondly, to provide improved marketing facilities for farmers that already engaged in fruits and vegetables production so as to add value to their produce and raised increase income, thus would encourage farmers to undertake commercialized/large scale farming to increase food production, increase income, ensure food security and reduce hunger and poverty.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The local food production and processing is a project designed as alternative sources of income and self employment for economically disadvantage youths, who already engaged themselves in the production and marketing of cannabis, commercial sex as a means of livelihood.These youths would be provided with basic skills and knowledge required to engage them in the production and processing of food stuffs to generate sustainable income to meet their respective fiscal needs.  The project would adapt organic farming technology using compost manure as substitute for chemical fertilizers so as to grow healthy crops that would meet both internal and external marketing standards and taste. A sizable agro-food processing complex would be constructed; equipment, tools and materials necessary for production would be made available to process fruits, vegetables and tubers in to juice, jam, syrups, yogurt, palm oil garrie and flower chips among others.  The youth would be engaged to undertake the cultivation of food crops to supply the agro-food processing complex and would also be engaged to provide the unskilled labour force needed in the construction work. The community people would provide the land, local materials and unskilled labour support, and also would help to supervise and monitor the implementation stages of this project.  Technical support on food production would be provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Food Security, whiles the Ministry of Health and Sanitation provides the sanitation skills needed for the food processing.  OPARD/SL already has a trained technician on food and processing, trained by the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports in Benin Songai Centre.  The Yoni Community Bank will provide the financial management skills needed for the project.

PROJECT GOAL

The overall goal is to engage youths in to local food production and processing with the subsequent motive to generate income and create self-employment.