The
minister for Agriculture Hon. Amie Fabureh has assured farmers in rural Gambia
that the Ministry of Agriculture under her watch would ensure that their needs
are addressed. She said there is already a technical and competent team of
directors behind her who are able and willing to support her in this endeavour.
The
agriculture minister made this comment while handing over agricultural
equipment to women in Kani Kunda, Madina Sancha and Kwinella in the Lower River
region on Monday 24 February 2020.
“I
am very impressed with the team of directors. Together, we will move this
sector ahead,” the minister said. She assured the farmers that before the
commencement of the rainy season the government of The Gambia would provide
fertilizers for all the farmers in this country. “You as farmers, you are very
dear to the heart of President Adama Barrow and that is the reason his
government is doing everything possible to support you,” she said.
The
minister pointed out that the president is aware of the commitment of farmers
in national development and that is the reason he (Barrow) provided the
machinery. The minister also reminded the people of Lower River Region that
since President Barrow did not forget them, they also should try to fulfill
their promise in order to be self- sufficient in food production.
The
governor of Lower River Region, Rohey John Manjang said empowering women and
farmers’ means empowering the entire nation. She called on the people of the
region to unite for development, while appealing to the men to support the
women folks in all aspects. The governor said the government of The Gambia is
very much concerned about the welfare of the farmers, thus the equipment given
would no doubt boost the livelihoods of farmers in her region particularly the
women folk.
The
director of Agriculture Dr. Seiku Sanyang, advised the people of the region to
take good care of the machinery given by the government. He called on the
people of the region not to assign the machinery to any mechanic for
maintenance, noting that the Ministry has qualified mechanics in all the
regions.
Dr.
Sanyang revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture has started rehabilitating
all the mix farming training centers across the country. He said all these
efforts are geared towards improving agriculture in The Gambia.
The
director of Central Project Coordinating Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture,
AbdoulieTouray, told farmers in Lower River Region that some projects have been
approved recently by the lawmakers to improve the livelihood of farmers. He
said among the projects approved is a small ruminants project. Touray assured
the famers that the project would enhance the rearing of small ruminants in the
country.
The
minister was accompanied by Musa Humma deputy permanent secretary (Technical)
at the Ministry of Agriculture.
