The governor of the Lower River Region (LRR), Momodou Soma Jobe, has set the record straight by calling on the men folk in his region to abandon bantabas and also venture into farming.
The LRR governor made the remarks recently in Jarra Soma during a meeting with Hunger Free campaign officials.
According to governor Jobe, government over the years have send a lot of tractors to the region but were all given to men most of whom he said used it for a different purpose rather than the intended purpose. "Over the years tractors were sent to this region and were only given to men rather instead of women who are the actual farmers," he said.
He assured the women of the region that his administration would give them priority with regards to incentives. "I am convinced that when given the necessary support they can help the country attain food self sufficiency. "If you see anyone who doesn't want to work with me is that because he or she doesn't want honesty?" he asked.
Governor Jobe however urged women to organise themselves and listen to the advice of agricultural workers at all times.
He encouraged the men to also participate in national development by going back to the land.
He appealed to development partners to support women farmers.
Also speaking at the meeting, Mr. Jibril Barry from the Department of State for Education, also FAO task force member, advised parents to send their children to school to study agriculture. "Agriculture requires skills and knowledge," he said.
Kim Trathen, HungerFREE project Manager, Action Aid international, said if women received the necessary support they could feed the nation.
Chief of Lower Fulladou West Momodou Lamin Baldeh addressing women farmers in Brikama and advised women not to be wasteful in using their meager resources.
Meanwhile, addressing a meeting in Bwiam in Western Region Deputy Governor Sainabou Faal said women grow 90% of the rice consumed in the country. She appealed for them to be empowered.
