Agro project for Darfuri inmates

A training program for prisoners aims to give them skills for reintegrating with society200 prisoners from South Dafur’s Kaas prison will be provided alternative economic activities through agriculture because of a new training program.The United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), other UN Agencies and local authorities have teamed up for the agriculture project for prisoners. The prisoners will be trained and equipped with agriculture skills that can be used for their reintegration into society on completion of their sentences.The farm on which they will be trained comprises almost 3,000 acres of agricultural land and is being managed by both staff and prisoners from Kaas prison. It will also be used as a model to develop new varieties of cereals and vegetables and other farmers from the community as well as returnees will be able to upgrade their skills and technical knowledge in modern farming technology.‘Economic boost’Also, as part of the initiative, UNAMID and its UN partners will assist farmers in growing more and higher quality crops. This will give them an economic boost while, through fair pricing, helping them to be players in local markets that can sustain them in the long-term.The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will distribute seeds, assist in monitoring the project and offer job training for the first 40 prisoners involved in the project. UNAMID’s support includes the provision of an irrigation pump, transportation of agricultural tools, the installation of a water pump, as well as monitoring tasks. The state ministry of Agriculture is to provide tractors for ploughing and the Forest National Corporation to assist at nursery construction.