However, the sector, which continues to be a dominant feature for most rural dwellers, of recent has taken a downward spirally curve.
The Gambia used to boost of its rich animal and livestock populations. However, with recent realities on the ground coupled with weak programmes and policies, the sector is miles apart from what it used to be.
We need strong programmes guided by expertise in order to make headway.
We all know that animal products are an important source of high-quality, balanced, and highly available protein and numerous critical micronutrients, including iron, and vitamins and many of which are deficient in a large portion of the world’s population.
It is in the news in our Tuesday edition of The Point, where a Gambia farmer amplified the call for people to embrace the sector so as to discourage importation of animals from neighbouring countries.
This part of Africa is a perfect region to breed animals especially our local breed considering the conducive environment and weather to boost livestock production.
Analysts believe if the sector is sustained in the country it could significantly cut the amount of dalasis spent on importation of livestock in to the country.
The Gambia depends heavily on livestock especially during the Muslims feats of Edul Adha. And most of the livestock used during this Muslims feast is imported.
Government and NGOs should support initiatives and programmes geared towards entrepreneurship development especially the livestock sector in the country.
As global food insecurity amid Covid-19 continues to be a talking point in many fora, now is the time for youths to take up the challenge and make best use of the enabling environment. Many believe in the popular notion that youths are the future leaders. But youths are already leaders.
Youth must therefore rise to the occasion and do away with the Babylon mentality. They should always put in their minds that they can make it here if they make a move.
Globally, food insecurity currently affects nearly a billion people; including 20 million children, aged 5 years who experience severe malnutrition.
“An environmentalist can oppose factory farming because it’s reckless stewardship. A conservative can oppose factory farming because it is destructive to small farmers and to the decent ethic of husbandry those farmers live by. A religious person can oppose factory farming because it is degrading to both man and animal - an offense to God..”
Matthew Scully