The Foreign Affairs Minister of Taiwan, His Excellency Francisco H.L Ou, has said that agriculture can play a significant role in attaining food security for a country. Minister Ou made these remarks last Saturday at Banjulunding women's horticultural garden. He however stressed the significance of competitiveness in agriculture. Farmers must also develop innovative production and marketing measures while utilising their strategic position to maximize profit said Minister Ou. As a true friend of The Gambia he said, "
Speaking earlier, Mr.Bakary Trawally, permanent secretary for agriculture, said that his state department and the Taiwanese Technical Mission in the country have been collaborating to register more successes. "Technology manifested here can be replicated to other parts of the country," he said. He thanked the mission for their support and providing hundred tones of rice seed to farmers this year. He hailed the women farmers for their hard work. PS Trawally used the forum to encourage the tourism sector to patronise vegetable farmers in the country. He said that the garden is a model one in the country thanks to the efforts of the women and Taiwanese Technical Mission.
Ousman Jarju, a horticulturist, said that the gardeners are engaged in vegetable production and horticulture, and also have a processing plant there.
Other speakers included the permanent secretary for foreign affairs of The Gambia Mr. Mawdo Touray, Lamin Sanneh Governor Western Region and Mba Kaddysa Sambou president of the garden. Minister Ou presented over D200,000 to three women's groups. The money is the net profit of the groups. The visit ended with the exhibition of the produce of the garden.
