The country coordinator of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP), Shekh Tijan Sosseh, has told farmers in the Lower River Region and the Upper River Region that it is one of WAAPP’s objectives to revive the groundnut sub-sector.
He made this remark during a five-day countrywide tour recently.
According to Mr Sosseh, WAAPP is to train farmers on how to improve groundnut production and productivity. Farmers will initially focus on proper planting using the recommended spacing. They will then be trained on proper fertiliser management, which is another key aspect of the production cycle.
Mr Sosseh said WAAPP has been inspired by the success of the DONATA pilot project in North Bank Region. The DONATA model, initially aimed at maize crops, will now be used within the groundnut sector. The Gambia Groundnut Corporation will be involved with the marketing.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers in Lower River Region, Chief Alhagie Alfusainey Jarjue expressed appreciation about WAAPP’s intervention.
He said the project is very timely and will help farmers by improving their agricultural production and productivity.
However, the chief also said the main concern of farmers is that they are in need of fertilisers, shine hoes, seeders, horse cart, and other equipment which will help them address some of their problems at the farm level.
Alasana Jarra, regional agri-official for pest control in Lower River Region, echoed the chief’s comments by saying WAAPP should provide farmers with farm machinery that will help them to increase their agricultural production and productivity.
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