The farming equipment includes fifty (50) tractors, thirty (30) disc harrows, forty (40) disc ploughs, ten (10) reversible ploughs, two (2) seed drills, one (1) planter, twenty (20) rotary tillers and ten (10) trailers. The D170 million package also includes two maintenance vehicles, the construction of a mechanical workshop as well as workshop tools.
The advanced farming materials are used for tilling, ploughing, harvesting, threshing and land preparation among other agricultural purposes to ease the work of farmers.
According to officials, the project is a part of government efforts to execute the 2018-2021 national development plan.
In his launching statement, President Adama Barrow described the handing over of those agricultural materials as timely. He said the agricultural sector has embarked on a transformation programme for modernising and mechanising crop and livestock production and processing.
This programme, he said, has been captured in the 2018-2021 national development plan as well as reflected in the second generation Gambia national agriculture investment plan to ensure food and nutrition security in the country.
“This project also aimed to improve food security, uplift income status and reduce hardship for rural farmers,” he said.
However, he noted that his government’s efforts to achieve its objective in this mechanisation plan was formulated by the agricultural sector and supported by the Japanese government to enhance the lives and livelihood of Gambian farmers.
President Barrow further affirmed that his government has given loans to farmers for plough service as well as a discount on plough services by 30 percent.
He urged stakeholders to work unanimously to ensure successful implementation of the initiative and all other government projects, while affirming his commitment to supporting the agricultural ministry on its plans to ensure food self-sufficiency in the country.
He commended the government of Japan for supporting his government’s agricultural agenda.
Amie Fabureh, minister of Agriculture said: “The tractors will no doubt help to increase production and productivity of the crop value chain. More importantly improve food security, increase income generation.”
She added that the project will also enable private sector participation and create job opportunities for youth enterprises. “Any dalasi invested to procure these items will not only reach the targeted beneficiaries but also reflect into the crop production and productivity and enhance their livelihood.”
Lamin Sanneh, governor of West Coast Region (WCR), said the initiative has manifested government’s concern in responding to the needs of Gambian farmers that was raised previously.
“Farming has always been the strong pillar of Gambians especially rural communities and women but the production is too low due to circumstances that are beyond imagination,” he said.
However, he said agricultural mechanisation will increase production and ensure food security in the country.”
Mr. Tatsuo Arai, the Japanese ambassador to The Gambia, assured of continuous support to the Barrow administration’s agricultural development agenda to ensure food security in the country.
