Indonesia, The Gambia reopen ARFTC agricultural training hub in Jenoi

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and The Gambia have officially reopened the Agricultural Rural Farmers Training Center (ARFTC) in Jenoi, The Gambia, in a strategic bid to bolster food security across the country and the wider West African region.

“This marks a renewal of Indonesia's commitment to collaborate with The Gambia in strengthening food resilience, building capacity, and sharing knowledge for future generations,” Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said in a ministry statement released Thursday.

The facility was jointly inaugurated by Nasir and Gambian Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie on the sidelines of the 2nd Indonesia-The Gambia Joint Commission Meeting in Banjul, the Gambian capital, on Wednesday (July 1).

Nasir noted that Jakarta is actively expanding its collaboration with global development partners through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, positioning the Jenoi center as a hub for African nations.

Indonesia envisions the ARFTC evolving into a regional center of excellence that drives agricultural innovation, human resources development, and food security in West Africa, he added.

“A true friendship, much like the best harvest, grows from commitments and real actions that we nourish and nurture together,” Nasir remarked, reaffirming Indonesia's determination to remain a steadfast partner in sharing development expertise.

The ARFTC was established in 1996 under a joint initiative involving the Indonesian government, the Yayasan Amal Masyarakat Pertanian Indonesia (YAMPI) foundation, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Since its inception, the center has trained more than 6,000 farmers and agricultural counselors from The Gambia and neighboring West African states, including Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Senegal.

According to the Indonesian Embassy in Dakar, the facility had recently fallen into disrepair, prompting the Indonesian government to provide a grant in 2022 to fund the renovation of 8 out of the 15 buildings in the complex.

Refurbishment works began in May 2023 and concluded last month.

The project was officially transferred on June 2 following the signing of the handover minutes by Indonesian Ambassador Ardian Wicaksono and Saikou Sanyang, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Gambian Agriculture Ministry.

Translator: Cindy Frishanti O, Nabil Ihsan

Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

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