As part of an inclusive package to support farmers, the project has conducted five days of effective Training of Trainers on the Gender Action Learning System (GALS), Financial Action learning system (FALS), and Nutrition sensitive education for oil palm youth contractors across the various farming communities. The training, which started on the 20^th April and ended on the 24^th April 2022 brought together about 150 young men and women to enhance their knowledge on gender and disparity-related issues in agriculture as a business.

The GALS and FALS methodologies are widely used in IFAD supported projects to mainstream gender education to mostly non-educated farmers, hence the training was done in a bid to break the gender bias and myths that have long existed among farming communities. The training was facilitated using mostly symbols and pictorials through various local dialects in order to enhance better understanding of the trainees. In her testimony, Baby Sandy from the Bonthe district said she was very happy to be part of the training as she learned a lot pertaining to resource management and peaceful coexistence.

“I thank the AVDP for impacting so much knowledge in us. I have learned that men are not the only ones who are expected to contribute at home but women who work so well to home development are most times underrated and should be recognized”, said Thomas M. Lassayo who is a youth contractor from the Gbaima Songa community in the Bo District.

The training will be cascaded to other farmers who will adopt the desirable practices to create the necessary change in their communities.