In the past two decades, rice consumption in Africa has skyrocketed, owing to rapid population growth, urbanisation, and changing food preferences.
However, domestic rice production in Africa is growing at a much slower rate and is currently supplying just 50-60% of demand continent-wide.
Aside from being the main staple food in The Gambia just like in other countries, efforts to meet the country’s food needs still remain a challenge.
From lack of political will, materials, equipment and subsidies and even in some instances the required fertilizer has always been an issue in the country. This has forced many farmers to look for alternatives or shift to cultivation of other crops.
It is no gainsaying, the monies spent on importing rice into the country is enormous. This is wealth that should stay in the country and create jobs and other investments, if the country is serious about developing its agriculture sector.
With a population of 2.5 million people, the Gambia is one of few African countries blessed with abundant arable land that supports cultivation of crops of any type. Government only needs to show maximum political will and change of policies.
It is high time African leaders see to it that developing their local rice sector is key to ensuring national food security, economic growth, and poverty alleviation.
In our yesterday’s edition of The Point, the Chief of Defense Staff Mamat O.A. Cham announced that the Gambian Armed Forces (GAF) will be harvesting rice from 42 hectares of land, expecting to gather between 250 to 300 tons of rice in the next three weeks.
CDS Cham made this announcement in Sapu Rice Field in the Central River Region, as part of his nationwide tour of military locations across the country.
The Gambia has what it takes to grow vast expanses of rice fields that will feed its population. Rural-Urban drift and irregular migration, neglect and lack of subsidies for farmers, are just some of the challenges bisecting the country’s agriculture sector.
Going by his word, in some years to come The Gambia will not import rice. However, this is attainable only if the government supports the military with seeds, equipment, resources and wherewithal to be able to deliver as expected.
Across the world, many communities are embracing mechanized farming. This is not only the right way, but it is widely becoming the easiest way of eradicating poverty and meeting a country's food demand.
In the provinces, many small farmers want to earn money from rice farming, but lack modern inputs and capital to fully exploit their rice lands remain a challenge. Thus, this is where an innovative public–private partnership is desirable to support the intensification of rice farming.
We want to salute GAF for their foresight and resolve to go into rice cultivation. This is what is expected of a modern armed force. Their move is a welcome initiative and one that demonstrates the visionary leadership of its high command. It is high time people reason that the role of the military is not only to defend the territorial integrity of a country, but also engage in trades meant to empower the citizenry. Thus, we challenge other institutions to support the military in their quest to ensure that rice cultivation gets the much attention it deserves. This will in turn help the country eat the food that is locally produced in-country, rather than depending on imported foodstuff.
This is what national development calls for. Serving your country is noble and it is only God that can reward them.