This collective call for support echoes the sentiments of many farmers across the region, and acknowledges the pivotal role of timely assistance in ensuring a bumper harvest.
Speaking to The Point, Pa Sillah native of Kuntaur, who has farming for over 30 years, explained that this year the rains did not come as widely expected.
He revealed that the only thing that could have substituted for the rains is the availability of enough and timely fertiliser.
"We are urging the government to disburse fertilizer early and in a conducive way. The digitalization of buying fertilizer this year was also a challenge, as the period after depositing your payment and accessing your product takes about a month, which also contributes to low quality product
Sillah noted that sometimes they will have money but to have fertiliser is a problem.
"We therefore, want the government to provide enough fertilizers and on time,” he laments.
He also commented about the low and late arrival of rain, which he said, has caused him to limit the number of crops he should have planted.
"Normally this time of the year finds me done with my farming.”
This plea by a growing number of farmers in the area highlights the critical need for proactive measures to bolster agricultural productivity and safeguard livelihoods in Kuntaur.
“I have been practising farming since l was young. This year, I was late to plant my crops and this could result to bad harvest at the end of the season. Even though the rain also falls very late this year, farmers that plant their crops early will certainly have good harvest.” says Abdoulie Sonko, another farmer in the area.
The availability of fertiliser, Sonko added, is a challenge as some individuals buy a large part from the government and re-sell it in neighbouring Senegal.
“This has caused shortage making it hard for local farmer to access,” he lamented.
“We plead to the government, if they can even distribute fertilizer before the start of the rainy season, so that farmers will not be waiting for it while the rain has already started,” he underscored.
Nyima Ceesay, expressed optimism of the success of this year's harvest, saying her only challenges are farming equipment and fertilizer.
"If I have these things in hand, I am assured to have enough harvest to feed my family and also sell for income.”
Amidst the lush landscape of Kuntaur, farmers in this farming community renewed call for timely availability of fertiliser to help yield bumper harvest and be able to meet the country’s target of ensuring food self-sufficiency.
For this farming community, their unwavering determination to secure the necessary resources for a successful harvest exemplifies the spirit of unity and perseverance that defines their quest to change the narrative and ensure food security in the country.
