THE Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED), in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) and the Mara Farmers’ Association (MFA), successfully concluded a three-day training workshop for eight persons in Machine Operation and Maintenance.The workshop was conducted during the period August 8–10 at the Mara Community Centre at Ma- Retraite Scheme on the East Bank of Berbice, and represents the final aspect of the Mara Agricultural Enhancement Project (MAEP) which seeks to increase the productive capacity and diversify the portfolio of farmers in the Mara (California to Germania) area.

The workshop was divided into one day of theoretical (classroom) training and two days of practical (on-site) training, and was facilitated by Sharda Shew, Service Manager of Farm Supplies Ltd.

Participants who had successfully completed the training were issued with certificates of completion by the Mara Farmers’ Association.

Ramjagan Singh, Vice President of the Association, congratulated each participant for the successful completion of the course, and urged that the best use of the training be made to develop a lifelong skill and build a career.

He also expressed gratitude to CARILED, the Local Government & Regional Development Ministry, and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six for the continuous support.

CARILED is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada, formerly the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).  It is a six-year programme launched in May 2012, with headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago, and sub-offices in Saint Lucia (OECS) and Ottawa, Canada.

The programme is being implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), in partnership with the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA), the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM), and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF).

The programme is focused on local economic development, and currently works in seven Caribbean countries to develop models of LED that can be shared throughout the region. It aims to partner with 50 local government authorities to support the growth and development of 500 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).