The audience, he said, has enabled the Gambian leader to interact with farmers and livestock owners to discuss pertinent issues affecting their production and productivity in the livestock value chain.
Ebrima O. Jallow was speaking in a recent interview with The Point, where he applauded President Barrow for taking up the giant step in recognising the importance of ‘our farmers and livestock in our economy.’
Jallow acknowledged no country can moved forward in the absence of ‘livestock sector’.
In view of this, he said, whatever development they embark on, the livestock sector must be part of it, adding that seeing President Barrow interacting with the local farmers and livestock owners, is something that is worthy of commendation.
According to him, the 2024 presidential tour, which came to a close on Monday 9th December 2024, is of great significance particularly to the agricultural sector.
Jallow observed that during the tour, the president did not only talk about the welfare of livestock owners, but he took it upon himself to visit some livestock facilities in various regions, which is a move in the right direction.
He equally commended President Barrow for supporting farmers in the country as seen in the largesse extended to livestock owners in the form of boreholes.
“He also brought different agricultural projects in the country that has eased the problem of watering facilities in the sector.”
More importantly, he said, during the tour, the ministers of Local Government and Lands and Agriculture, Hon. Hamat N.K Bah and Demba Sabally, both lamented the challenges facing cattle owners in the county especially when it comes to tracking spot, animal breeding and grazing areas.
To this end, Jallow thanked the two ministers for emphasising the need to provide more animals’ drinking points in the country to further boost the Agricultural sector.
In separate but related development, the National Livestock Owners Association will convene its 9th Annual General Meeting from the 11th to 12th December, 2024 at Jenoi, Jarra Soma in the Lower River Region.
The AGM will give the farmers the opportunity to discuss pertinent issues affecting their growth, strength, challenges and chart a way forward.
