The event was organised by the Regional Agriculture Directorate for the CRR North with funding from the World Bank-funded Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV). The event accorded farmers, extension workers and policy makers to share experiences as well as advocate for more support for the rice farmers.
In his remarks, Governor Musa Mbye underscored the significance of the Field Day. He paid glowing tribute to the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and the GIRAV project for the lives changing interventions in the Kuntaur Rice Field. He also used the opportunity to thank World Bank for funding the GIRAV project.
Governor Mbye called on farmers to take ownership of projects interventions and make maximum use of the support being provided by GIRAV and other projects for the attainment of the desired objectives. He assured the farmers that their challenges are well noted and assured of government’s commitment to the attainment of the national target of self-sufficiency in rice by 2030.
Alhagie Pierre Bah, Chief of Niani District also acknowledged the contributions of the Gambian Government through various projects under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security and FAO in increasing rice production and productivity in his district.
He emphasised the need for farmers to endeavour to be seed secured and to ensure the efficient management of the farm machinery being provided by government and development partners through the agricultural projects.
Chief Bah also challenged the farmers to make sure that funds being generated through the ploughing services are well managed and efficiently reinvested to ensure continuity and timely access to ploughing services.
Mustapha Drammeh, Deputy Director General, Department of Agriculture speaking on behalf of the Department and the Ministry also thanked the FAO, the Central Projects Coordinating Unit (CPCU) and the various projects investing in the development of the rice value chains in the region. He said: “The contributions from the GIRAV Project, FAO and other projects have made today’s event possible. Field Day is an important activity. It provides a platform to showcase the achievements of farmers and the government”. He thanked the World Bank for funding the GIRAV project.
Amadou Bah, communication officer for GIRAV Project, speaking on behalf of GIRAV Project Coordinator noted that since 2022, the project has procured 450Mts of Certified Rice seeds and 300MTs of certified maize seeds of different varieties to help increase access and adoption of climate-smart seeds that are early-maturing, high-yielding, drought and salt-tolerant.
“Each year, the project hands over the seeds to the DoA for onward distribution amongst interested farmers as part of efforts aimed at building a productive and climate-resilient Agri-Food System in The Gambia,” he added.
Responding to challenges highlighted by the farmers, he informed that the project will also provide some light equipment to help boost production and productivity, adding GIRAV project through the Matching Grant Scheme has also provided smallholder farmers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to invest in equipment to provide the much-needed services for actors along the five priority value chains of the project namely rice, maize, cashew, poultry and horticulture (including mango).
