The countrywide consultation concluded at Brikama, West Coast Region.
Alhagie Bojang, field asistant for Sustainable Rice Production in deputising for his regional coordinator said the project development objective is not only to increase agricultural productivity and create access to market for enhanced food security and nutrition but also ensure resilience of family, farms and farmers’ organization.
He pointed out that the project chose rice because The Gambia is a net importer of the staple food, adding that current rice consumtion is about 21,5000 metric tonnes and the country only produces 36,000 metric tonnes.
He stated that the project will support and build the capacities of rice farmer organisations, women kafos as well as transform village farmer associations into cooperative societies. According to him, a total of 40 new women kafos and six cooperative societies would be established and strengthened.
He said that with regard to access to finance, the project will promote increased saving capacity of farmer organisations.
Peter Baldeh, secretary general for the National Rice Farmers Assosiation (NaRFA) said the objective of the consultation was to map out visibility.
