Livestock have and continue to provide crucial contribution for human wellbeing in the socio economic development of communities.
It is the surest component in ensuring the attainment of food self sufficiency. Countries with an abundant animal population generate millions of dollars especially during mega events like Edul Adha and other major events.
Thus, livestock production is paramount in the socio economic livelihood of people.
Aside from the food people generate from the sector, it is another sector countries significantly earn foreign exchange in millions.
And The Gambia spends huge sums of money on importing livestock during fests like Edul Adha and other major events.
This money could have been spent at home, thereby contributing to socio economic advancement.
It is in the news that livestock farmers in the country have decried the 12% interest levied on the operational cost on loans.
This cost, according to them, has affected them greatly especially when it comes to repayment of loans.
Micro-finance institutions involved in lending out loans to these livestock farmers could have reached soft repayment plans with these farmers since the majority of our farmers struggle to make ends meet.
The 12% cost may look smaller to these macro finance institutions, but it is proving difficult when it comes to repayment for these farmers.
The 3-million dollar Small Ruminant Production and Enhancement Project seeks to support these farmers to be able to produce enough livestock in-country to cut down the number of imports during major events in The Gambia.
Animal rearing, sheep fattening and even market access are not an easy enterprise in The Gambia.
However, we must bear in mind that sustainable livestock production means making the sector economically more efficient and meeting the growing demands of the population. For The Gambia to attain its food self sufficiency drive, we must invest in animal production.
Until then, the country’s quest to produce enough food for the citizens and export the surplus would be a far-fetched dream.
“ The history of agriculture is the history of humans breeding seeds and animals to produce traits we want in our crops and livestock.”
Michael Specter