Youths and people moving towards retirement from active public service will hence be given pride of place in the activities of the Binguela Practising Farming School (EPAB). According to the Director of the school, Michel Abega, EPAB plans to concentrate 60 per cent of its training on modern agro-pastoral production on youths, whom he said, constitute a strong force of the labour market and are thus capable, if well trained, to bolster the agricultural productivity.

On the other hand, EPAB will by 2012 introduce a special training module for people soon to go on retirement so as to prepare them for a sustainable agricultural production off active public service. The 2010 activity report of EPAB lends credence to this new-found vision of the school. Last year, the school trained 650 farmers in diverse agricultural fields. According to the 2010 activity report, the school witnessed a leap in its follow up activities on the field. From 14 farmer organisations trained in 2008 to 26 in 2009, EPAB hit 75 in 2010. New farming land also moved from 28 in 2008, 78 in 2009 to 111.5 hectares in 2010.

Another stride was a remarkable improvement in poultry production as 28,000 chicks were produced. Today, EPAB produces 10,000 chicks in two weeks and hopes to attain an annual production of 180,000 tonnes at year’s end. EPAP officials are upbeat that with the international interest on the country’s agricultural sector, showcased through the school, production could attain a level capable of ensuring food-sufficiency for the citizens.