Farmers meet to trash out issues

Farmers drawn from the six agricultural regions of the country last week converged at the Paradise Suite Hotel to trash out issues of great concern to the welfare of the country’s farming community.

The meeting, organized by the West African Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP), was meant to identify problems and other constraints that are hindering their agricultural development.

The forum brought together more than seventy farmers including men and women to come together to share experiences and raised concerns for possible interventions.

Speaking at the forum, the chief of Jarra West, Alfusainey Yaya Jarjusey described this farmers meeting as very timely and essential for farmers of the country.

He was quick to hail the organizers of this forum for availing them such a unique opportunity to discuss issues relevant to their survival and wellbeing.

He commended WAAPP for the last year’s intervention in providing farmers with various seeds which has boosted many farmers in getting bumper harvest.

Chief Jarjusey also highlighted some of the achievements and the assistant that WAAPP has registered particularly in enhancing horticultural development.

For his part, Musa Huma, the director general of the Department of Agriculture, said the important of the forum cannot be over emphasised as this forum brought more than seventy farmers under a single umbrella and discussed important issues and other related matters.

Saikou Taal, board chairman of the WAAPP, challenged the farmers to make the best use of opportunity accorded to them.

Sheikh Tijan Sosseh, WAAPP project coordinator told the farmers that thirteen countries are participating in the implementation of the project.

Saying that the successful implementation of the project depend on the commitment of the Gambian farmers.

He said therefore, it should be a collective effort for all Gambians to ensure that the project is success thus increasing production and productivity for the farmers.