The initiative formed part of the government of the Republic of Korea through its Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Capacity Development of Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs) and Farmer-Based Cooperatives Organisations (FBCs) funded project.

The project implemented in the three Northern Regions is aimed at improving the living standards of local residents through enhanced capacity building of FBC’s/FBO’s as well as strengthening the capacity of partner state institutions and agencies.

The project comprised; six major components including: Cooperative Policy Advisory, Training of Trainers (TOT), Training of FBOs/FBCs leaders (TOL), Overseas Invitational Training in Korea, Networking and Marketing Support, as well as support for the Pilot Projects.

Alhaji Alhassan Issahaku, the Chief Director of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), who presented the items urged the officers to use the laptops in accordance with the dictates of the department to achieve the intended purpose.

He said the project had boosted the confidence level of more famers to join such cooperative organisations to serve as a medium to promote extension services as well as promote support to farmers to increase production.

He lauded KOICA and the Association of Church-based Development Programme (ACDEP), a Tamale based NGO, the local implementing agency for the success of the project.Madam Aliatu Wemah, Northern Regional Director of DOC said field officers are mostly challenged in data collection of FBO’s/FBC’s from the various communities as a result of inadequate number of computers and other accessories available to them.

She indicated that, the provision of the laptops and other accessories to adequately resource and equip the department would enhance the field officers to work extensively to provide the needed support to more FBO’s/FBC’s to ensure capacity building.

Mr Joseph Baagu Salaam, a field officer expressed gratitude to KOICA for the support, which would enhance their work-output and appealed for more support from the DOC for means of transportation to the various communities.