The
Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Small Ruminant Production Enhancement
Project (SREPEP) in partnership with the Central Project Coordination Unit
(CPCU) under the Ministry of Agriculture last Friday began a five-day
nationwide regional launch of the project that seeks to boost the production of
small ruminant in the country.
The
project is said to be the biggest and purely livestock production enhancement
project that The Gambia government has ever secured from the Islamic
Development Bank.
It
seeks to increase the population of the small ruminants, alleviate poverty,
food insecurity and provide job creation opportunities for both women and
youth.
The
total envelop of the SRPEP cost is
estimated at US$ 26.81millon of which
Islamic Development Bank
contribution is US$ 25.17 (94%)
and the government of The Gambia US$ 1.64million (6%).
Giving
an overview of the project during a launch held at various regions of the
country, Mr. Mamud Njie, project director of SRPEP, said the project comprise
various components, with set targets across the country purely on livestock
production.
The
project, he went on, plans to have its headquarter at YBK in the Central River
Region, saying the project is funded by Islamic Development Bank and is a loan
to the government of The Gambia.
He
informed farmers that the four-year project also seeks to discourage the
importation of small ruminants from neighbouring countries such as Mali and
Senegal, thereby encouraging self sufficient in meat production.
According
to Mr. Njie, the project through a value chain approach will cover production
management, genetic improvement and diseases control, access to finance,
infrastructure modernisation and human capital development.
Njie
maintained that among the component A of the project includes production,
processing and marketing facilities, which he added, is key as far as livestock
production is concern.
The
project, he went on, will cover thirty nine districts across the country, with
the objectives of enhancing livestock production and productivity.
“The
project will greatly embark on various activities in terms of building the
capacity of livestock owners, butchers, dealers, construction boreholes, meat
storage, markets and laboratory, provide medicines for small ruminants. The
project also aims to work closely in collaboration with all the regional
livestock directors and the regional governors and chiefs to ensure the success
of this project”.
Speaking
at the launch in Kerewan, Fabala Kinteh,
chief of Badibou, expressed appreciation to the government of The Gambia
through the ministry of Agriculture for ensuring that livestock farmers in the
country benefit from this project.
He
described the project as one of the most essential projects as far as livestock
production is concern, further advising the project management unit to ensue
that there is a transparency in the implementation of this project within the
region.
He
also thanked the project management unit on behalf of the people of his region
for this magnitude project that seeks to alleviate poverty and increase
population of small ruminants.
At
the Janjanbureh launch, Chief Bakary Jam-Jawo, applauded the government of the
day for this magnificent project, which he said, will greatly help boost
livestock production and productivity.
“We
have no doubt that considering the project management team, this project will
impact positively towards the livelihood of the farmers.”
He
therefore challenged livestock farmers to work hand in glove with the project
management unit to ensure its success.
For
his part, Hon. Alhagie Sillah, a National Assembly Member also challenged the
farmers to show more commitment and dedication towards the project.
He
urged farmers to take ownership of the project and work in consultation with
the regional livestock directors across the regions to ensure its success.
Elsewhere
in Central River Region, Hon. Abba Sanyang, who was full of joy and
appreciation with the coming of the project, said the launch was long overdue,
considering the important role that the livestock sector plays in national
development.
“It
is very key that all hands to be on deck to ensure the success of this project.
And the success of the project depends on the livestock owners. I therefore
challenge you to engage the livestock regional directors in the implementation
process. The project is here for the farmers; therefore we need to take
ownership of this project,” he said.
The
CRR Governor also commended the Islamic Development Bank for sponsoring the
project.
“We
will not allow this project to fail in CRR, as it hosts half of the country’s
livestock owners”.