Officials of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), in partnership with its implementing partner, the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARI), on Tuesday handed over one hundred and eight metric tonnes of seeds to the regional agricultural directorates for onward transmission to the farmers across the country.
The handing-over of the ceremony was witnessed by the Governor of North Bank Region, regional directors, the coordinator of the central project coordinating unit Nuha Kujabi, deputy permanent secretary of agriculture, Asheme Cole, and some farmers.
The seeds presented include rice, groundnut and maize and the event took place at Charmen Agricultural Training centre in North Bank Region.
In his welcoming remarks, the centre manager, Modou Joof, expressed delight about the development which would boost agricultural productivity.
He hailed the WAAPP and the Ministry of Agriculture for making sure that farmers have seeds at their doorsteps.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the regional Agricultural director in North Bank Region, Dr Saikou Sanyang, expressed pleasure for various stakeholders to converge at the centre to witness the handing-over of seeds to farmers.
He went on to registered his appreciation to the entire management of WAAPP for the rehabilitating the Charmen Agricultural centre which was in a very deplorable condition.
Dr Sanyang said gesture is to see that Agricultural production and productivity are improved in the country.
He also advised the beneficiaries to make sure that this seed are properly used for the interest of all farmers.
He said the project is focused on research and development, adding that no economic development can be attained without research.
“So with the collaboration of NARI, department of Agriculture, the farmers will be enhanced with the requirement seed.”
For his part, Ansumana Jarjue, the focal person for WAAPP at NARI, expressed sincere gratitude to WAAPP.
He also called on the need for the integration of research and development in our Agricultural development.
The WAAPP Country coordinator, Sheikh Tijan Sosseh, said he was deeply honored to be associated with the important handing-over of seed to the regional agricultural directorates for onward distribution to farmers countrywide.
He said the GEAPP thought it wise to lay the foundation in terms of infrastructure and equipment for the country to be able to produce more seeds.
He further stated that as a result of crop failure in 2011 currently seeds have become a problem for farmers.
He added that the WAAPP has came in to consolidate the Game of GEAPP on the one side and on the other side, in this particular activities, that is the innovation platform, sustaining the gain through the DONATA Project and will expand it countrywide.
He said the overall objective of WAAPP is to enhance agricultural production and productivity in through the generation and dissemination of technology that would help to increase production and productivity.
He also revealed that the WAAPP has spent three million two hundred and fifty thousand dalasi in procuring seeds for the farmers.
For his part, the Governor of North Bank Region, Lamin Queen Jammeh, advised the beneficiaries to use the seeds wisely with.
He highlighted the importance of seed in any agricultural development and used the occasion to advise the various stakeholders to work in close collaboration in the implementation of project.
Read Other Articles In Article (Archive)
