Women Rice Farmers Lament Constraints

Kudang Women Rice Farmers Association has lamented constraints facing them before, after and during the rainy season, which is just fast approaching and called on government, NGO's, Philanthropists to come to their aid.

Kudang located in Niamina East in the Southern Central River Region, attracts lots of local farmers because of the area's fertile land ideal for rice cultivation.

Speaking to our reporter in an interview in Kudang over the weekend, Mrs. Sano Touray, spokesperson of Women Farmers told our reporter that the invasion of pigs, hippos, and other ruminant animals has caused a great impact on the farmers in the area. This, he added, has reduced the output of their farming activities.

Dilating on the conditions of the road and bridge network connecting the rice field and the village, she said roads are bad and thus makes it very difficult to transport their produce after harvesting. She noted that if they have good road network, they can feed the whole Gambia.

According to Aja Sano Touray, access to machine and modern farming equipment, presence of hippos and pigs has undermined rice cultivation in Kundang. "We earn our living here on our farms and make ends meet for the family but with the absence of the above mentioned facilities, food self sufficiency cannot be achieved", she said.

She commended LADEP for constructing the bridge and road for them, and President Jammeh for empowering women and making agriculture top of his agenda.
According to her, they cultivated a four hectare rice farm for President Jammeh last year with good harvest.

Anybody willing to help these women farmers can contact on them on 7368660/7121255.