The representative of the Medical Mission, Mr. Melvin Uiterloo called for process chains to add value to produce. “We must create full value chains that include processing materials to final products to create more skills and employment at each level”, he said.

Participants also noted some challenges by their departments including insufficient funding to sustain their activities and the lack of coordination between national Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Sustainable Agricultural Production of the Interior.

They also noted a growing gender gap where men are beginning to be left behind with the raise of the status of women. “Proposed interventions should, therefore, promote gender equality so that no one is left behind”, said Mr. Boejoekoe, a session participant and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development and Sports. Other participants who attended the information session included the UNICEF M&E Officer and JP LNOB focal point Ms. Prya Hirasingh, the team from the Programme Management Unit including the Deputy Programme Manager, Mrs. Simone Sakia, the Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Ms. Simone Boldewijn, the Communications Specialist Ms. Chanique Bipat, the Communications Officer Ms. Tinsia Plein, among others.