The head chief of Niamina East, Alhagie Kebba Touray, has raised concern over the way and manner cattle owners leave their cattle that causes them to destroy rice fields in his area.
The manner in which people leave their cattle to roam around is unacceptable, he says, adding that any time such matters are brought before him he would deal mercilessly with the defaulters.
He made these remarks recently during the handing over ceremony of farming implements to farmers by the Gambia Emergency Production Project (GEAPP).
The Niamina chief asserted that farmers always complain of cattle destroying their rice fields, which he blamed on cattle owners, for deliberately leaving their cattle to intrude rice fields in the communities.
The Niamina chief, who was responding to complaints lodged to him by farmers in the town regarding the issue, said Niamina East farmers "are exceptional" due to their massive farming activities. "I will not compromise with anybody found wanting," he said.
The chief also applauded the support given to farmers of his district by the GEAPP, saying it was "very timely".
"I know my district farmers are committed, buy yet still they need more support in the area of building their capacity," he said.
Chief Kebba Touray stated that with the intervention of the GEAPP in his area, come next year, Niamina East will have bountiful yield of rice. "I have no doubt that my district will take the lead in rice production this country," he said.
He also used the occasion to warn people to be mindful of bushfires the aftermath of which "is always devastating".
"It should be our collective responsibility to protect and safeguard our forest because its importance cannot be overemphasised," he averred.