This natural gift should be utilised wisely to help reduce dependency on foreign importation into the country. Going through the price of food commodities in the local markets, one would not only be amazed, but conclude that the country is indeed sailing unchartered waters.
Certainly, the government should invest more in agricultural development. Upland and lowland rice cultivation sites should be revamped and restructured. It should be organised and utilised in such a way that would minimise dependency on foreign import.
Yes, the Gambia can do it but only if people judiciously utilise the arable land at our disposal.
For instance, our local vegetable growers have long cried about some of the obstacles hindering their development. One of these challenges is post-harvest losses. Finding a lasting solution to this problem should be one of the government's prime agendas.
Despite these perennial concerns, challenges still persist. Going round some vegetable sites in both peri-urban and in the hinterland, the challenges are more or less the same - i.e. from access to markets to storage facility issues.
Suffice it to state that empowering our local women involved in gardening is vital if the country is to achieve its food needs. A nation that is dependent on another nation in terms of its food and other consumption needs is still not independent.
Government should create more avenues and facilitate smooth transfer of knowledge on best farming practices. If other countries are sharing their successes registered in the sector, the country should be in a position to proudly narrate our successes.
Let's be realistic here, for instance to be able to compete in the onion market, there is a greater need for year-round onion production in The Gambia.
Government should also encourage more stakeholder participation in the agric sector. Public-private partnerships should also be encouraged to yield positive resolve. Government alone cannot do it, thus the need for more stakeholder participation.
At this point, we cannot but thank United Purpose, an NGO, who recently embarked on a farmer study tour to two wet season onion production sites in the country.
The tour speaks volume of their unending resolve to support farmers in the country.
In addition, the tour according to its official, was also to help farmers prepare better ahead of the upcoming season as well as to showcase the success registered in these sites.
Together we can develop agriculture and ensure food security for the populace.