It’s in our yesterday’s edition that the government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Agriculture last Friday received agricultural machinery, equipment and fertiliser from the government of the People’s Republic of China for onward delivery to the farming community. That’s really commendable.
The move is not only significant, but timely considering the fact that many farmers in the country are bracing up for the start of the summer season.
We once again salute the government of the People’s Republic of China for the show of generosity. The move, which is part strengthening the bilateral ties as part the south-south cooperation, is highly cherished by the government and people of The Gambia.
China has been a strong supporter of The Gambia’s development efforts. Since the restoration of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, The Gambia has seen cooperation in various fields but most especially in agriculture. This is evident with the display of variety of agriculture equipment and fertilisers and as well as short and long term trainings offered to Gambians at various specialised training institutions in the Asian nation.
The equipment and fertiliser donated would greatly boost Gambia’s agric development a great deal. Many a time, local farmers’ complain of lack of fertiliser and equipment.
Employing about over 70 percent of the population, agriculture still remains a key player and contributing a significant chunk in the country’s GDP. It is central in the development of any nation. And the sustainable development of agriculture has to be a central in any nation’s agenda.
We therefore call on the government to take the lead in creating the enabling environment within which farmers and other actors can deliver. They must ensure that all policy areas, education, finance and health, are involved and aligned.
"Agriculture changes the landscape more than anything else we do. it alters the composition of species. we dont realize it when we sit down to eat, but that is our most profound engagement with the rest of nature."
Michael Pollan