This development was revealed by the minister of Agriculture, Demba Sabally, during President Barrow’s site visit to Sare Pateh community pasture situated in Wulli West District, Upper River Region (URR).
Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture claimed that they have currently constructed 20 community pastures across the country. Now the ministry will support 600 individual farmers who meet the requirement of having a pasture.
Minister Sabally, speaking at the site, said: “The Sare Pateh community pasture is a 100 by100 meter square and it has the capacity of accommodating many livestock during their grazing period. This can be used by both cattle, goats and other ruminants. The pasture can survive both during the dry and rainy seasons.”
“Individual farmers who are interested in having the seeds and have meet the entire requirement can get the seeds at all regional agriculture directorates across the country,” Minister Sabally announced. “This is the way forward and it’s good for the animals and it ensures that the cattle have good and enough milk and it keeps them healthy.”
President Adama Barrow for his part, said: “This is one of the solutions and it will go a long way in addressing the challenges farmers and herders encounter; and it is also cheaper in feeding the animals.”
The community pastures, he added, will go a long way in reducing livestock owners migrating to Cassamance, the southern part of Senegal for grazing. “This is a good initiative and it needs to be supported. I want the communities within the area to also take ownership of the facility with a view to increasing the population of the animals,” he emphasised.
The village alkalo, Gidado Dem, thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for the provision of the community pastures, saying: “Most of our cattle do migrate to Cassamace during the rainy and dry seasons due to the lack of grazing. However, with the provision of this community pasture, our cattle can now stay in here which will reduce the problem we do encounter with farmers.”
Visit to Kolly Bantang water project
The president and delegation also visited the water project at Kolly Bantang village in the Wulli West District, URR.
The president and delegations received a rousing welcome by the villagers as the president's motorcade drove, extending a great enthusiastic welcome, creating a great moment of communion. The water project which has the capacity of providing thousands of litres and lasting for years, was funded by the government of Japan.
Speaking at the site visit, the Gambian leader renewed his government’s continued commitments to improving the lives and livelihoods of Gambians, adding that addressing the challenges of Gambians especially with the provision of clean water is at the center stage of his government priorities.
Meeting at Chamoi
The President later proceeded to Chamoi village where he held a meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Nafai S. Jabai, a youth representative thanked president Barrow for embarking on the tour, claiming that URR is among the regions that have benefitted from numerous projects from the government.
Jabai also urged the president to help them construct the road, starting from Chamoi Bunda to Foday Kunda and to Borro Kandeh Kasseh with the desire of boosting economic activities within the area.
He equally urged the Ministry of Health to help construct a School of Nursing that would help reduce the rural and urban migration.
Fatoumatta Saho, the lady councillor of the area, appealled to the president to help them with water.
"Some villages within the area have already got water, but there are many communities within the area that are in need of clean and potable drinking water,” she said.
"We also want the president to help the women of the area with milling machines," she pleaded, while hailing the women's unflinching support to his government in that area.
After listening to the concerns raised by local dwellers, President Barrow, said: "I can assure that whatever you don’t have in the previous government, you will have it in my government.
You will have massive development in the coming years," he promised.
"We have brought you water, roads, electricity and even community pastures. I come here to listen to you and find solutions to the problems you have. I can assure you that the development you have for the past years is just the beginning," Barrow said.
"Before 2026, you will have massive development and every village will access electricity. I want to leave a legacy in the country. I want to be remembered for hundreds of years due for the development I have brought to the door steps of Gambians," he postulated.
