Basse,
Upper River Region, 23rd November 2019 - Members of the community horticultural
garden in Nema Fass saved a staggering amount of over three million dalasis at
the end of the first seasonal harvest, President Adama Barrow told during a
visit there on the fourth day of the ongoing President’s Meet the People tour.
President
Barrow expressed excitement and admiration for the group’s ability to save up
such a colossal sum in one season, following a thorough engagement with the
gardeners.
While
encouraging them to continue working hard and not rest on their laurels, the
president promised that his cabinet will initiate new value addition mechanisms
to enable producers control the market price.
The
Fass vegetable garden in Central River Region North is 4 hectares with a
membership of 81 men and 276 women. Each member owns 5 beds of 1m x 10m. It is
supported by FASDEP to ensure all year round reliable water supply for
sustainable vegetable production.
According
to a women’s representative, they need more modern farming equipment and
mechanical technologies such sprinklers to ease manual labour as well as
marketing and storage facilities. The president was briefed about how the local
gardeners are using information technology to access market information about
prices in urban areas.
Agriculture
Minister told reporters at the garden that the Nema Fass model of gardening was
designed to ensure sustainability in providing solid fencing and water
resources. She revealed the government, through her Ministry, is working with
potential investors to open regular markets for the gardeners.
Barrow
Government Revitalizing Mix Farming Centers Connecting to Kaur from Sabach
Sanjal, President Barrow made a brief stop to inspect ongoing works at a Mix
Farming Center in Ngain Sanjal.
The
center is designed for capacity building for farmers in crop and vegetable
production, animal husbandry, research, and development, plus other
agricultural best practices.
The
president was told that the facility, which is 100% funded by The Gambia
Government and being constructed by Gambian contractors, will be fully
completed in March 2020.
It
is the latest initiative of the government to spur agricultural growth and
support the attainment of food security by educating the farmer folks on modern
best practices.
