More than fifty farmers drawn from four villages within North Bank Region recently participated on a daylong dissemination of a new Agricultural Technology in Africa (DONATA).
Speaking at the forum, Dr Saikou Sanyang, the regional agricultural director for North Bank Region, expressed his pleasure at having a large number of farmers from the region attend the important farmers’ forum.
Dr Sanyang said the whole idea about this forum was to bring up all stakeholders, researchers, extension workers so they can participate in a platform and discuss issues related to agricultural production and development.
He went further to explain the meaning of DONATA, which he said is dissemination of a new agricultural technology in
Dr Sanyang also went further to describe the forum as very important, saying the DONATA pilot programme covers issues from the producers to the final consumers.
The participation of farmers in the review is of great importance as far as agriculture is concerned Dr Sanyang also called on the need for farmers to collaborate with the extension workers for the promotion of the DONATA pilot programme.
He also urged the North Bank Region farmers to always iron out their issues with the agricultural extension workers in the best interest of all.
The best way to build the capacity of extension workers is to allow them to work hand in glove with the farmers, he noted.
In his official opening remarks, the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Hon. Sherifo Bojang, thanked the facilitator of the DONATA pilot programme and the North Bank Region famers for making the review a success.
He said the Gambia Government has attached great importance to the welfare of the Gambian farmers.
The Gambia Government under the dynamic leadership of President Jammeh has high regards for the Gambian farmers; therefore, Gambian farmers should take advantage of this opportunity to redouble their effort in the agricultural sector.
He said the Gambia Government is ready to give support to any determined project management that is willing to deliver in the best interest of the country.