The visit
of Dr Jacques Diouf, the Director General of the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for a two-day working visit yesterday is both
timely and welcome.
He will
discuss the global food crisis with President Jammeh and also cement the
already cordial bilateral relations between The Gambia and the FAO. Many people
in the country are now struggling to pay for rice along with all other types of
food. The price of a bag is fast heading towards D1000 and beyond the means of
many people.
Speaking to
journalists shortly after his arrival at the BanjulInternationalAirport, the FAO boss said he would also
hold talks aimed at reviewing the situation of agriculture not only in The
Gambia, but also in Africa and the entire world.
"We will
also discuss key areas on the global food crisis, animal production and fishing
among others. The food crisis has affected Africa because we do not have the
elasticity to supply food in response to the growing food crisis compared to
developed countries in other parts of the world," Dr Diouf said.
This is
unfortunately true. The fact that it is made all the more distressing by the
fact that at one point in the not too distant past The Gambia was completely food
self-sufficient. It will be very difficult to regain this worthwhile position
but we must leave no stone unturned in trying to get back there.
According
to Dr. Diouf, Africa deserves special attention and
special support to avert the global food crisis. Again this is correct. We in Africa continue to be among the worst
affected in the world by the crisis. Many people are starving on our continent
and this is something we must not tolerate.
Hopefully
with partners like the FAO and other development organisations we can avert
this crisis and regain our position as a food self-sufficient nation.
"Fame is at
best an unperforming cheat; But 'tis substantial happiness, to eat."
Alexander
Pope