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Partnering for food security

Nov 22, 2010, 12:03 PM

We have said in this and other columns many a time that there is need for the private sector and civil society organisations to get involved in agriculture.

For the country to attain food security, the government, development partners and the private sector must work together.

We therefore welcome the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and Concern Universal to support the growth of agriculture and food security in the country.

These types of projects will boost our national efforts in attaining food self-sufficiency. The project is indeed a good move towards the development of our agricultural sector.

The memorandum, if properly implemented, will greatly help both The Gambia and Senegal since it targets the two countries.

The move taken by the two parties will also benefit the communities of the two countries, especially the grassroots.

Food security should be a concern for everyone, and we dare say it is high time we started to grow our own food for sustainability.

The farmers have to now capitalise on this timely intervention by the FAO and Concern Universal in food security.

If the programme is implemented it will serve well in alleviating hunger and starvation in the country.

We would like to chip in that the experts should endeavour to implement the MOU to the letter so that the essence of the programme is realised.

It is also important to review the MOU whenever the time arises; this will help the parties to know their shortcomings and achievements about the project.

There should also be a monitoring and evaluation team to check on those that will implement the project.

We also must emphasise that agriculture should always be given priority if we as a country want to reduce our food importation.

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