The farmers made the commendation recently during a four days monitoring field visit to the projects’ intervention sites in these regions by the president of NACOFAG Mr. Musa Sowe.
The National Coordinating Organization for Farmer Associations in the Gambia (NACOFAG) attaches huge importance to upliftment of the lives and livelihoods of farmers through improved production and productivity with the support of Agricultural projects coordinated by the Central Projects Coordinating Unit (CPCU) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security (MoALFS).
During their interactions with Mr Sowe, beneficiaries of the Gambia Agriculture and Food Security Project (GAFSP) further expressed their delight with the project's support, highlighting successful outcomes like improved storage facilities for forest products and onions, and increased crop yields through the use of new techniques and technologies.
The project is praised for its positive impact on food security, income generation, and for strengthening the resilience of local producers and communities.
Speaking at the sites, Musa Sowe President of NACOFAG, representing the voice of the farmers acknowledged the critical support farmers have received from both projects which has contributed to increased yields and incomes.
These include seeds, fertilizer and farm implements and post-harvest machines including 14 combined rice harvesters procured by GIRAV which were handed over to 14 farmer groups, private rice entreprises in URR and CRR in June 2025 by the Minister of Agriculture.
Mr. Sowe reminded farmers that the intention of the government is to support farmers to better their lives and livelihoods. He noted with gratitude the support provided by government through both projects is yielding the desired outcomes.
He said: “The rice fields are now ready for harvesting. It is obvious that several households have produced enough rice to feed them for a whole year. Some will even have surplus grains to sell to generate income to provide for other household needs. The results in the field are very promising as we accelerate national efforts to attainment self-sufficiency in rice by 2030.’
Mr. Sowe used the opportunity to commend the management of the GIRAV and GAFSP projects for their impactful support to farmers which has resulted increased production and productivity since the inception of both projects.
Speaking at various sites in the URR, Mr. Peter Baldeh, president of the National Rice Farmers Association expressed satisfaction with both projects for their support to rice farmers across the country. He said looking at the rice fields it is quite impressive and any project that supported these fields will be happy to see the impact.
According to Mr. Baldeh both GIRAV and GAFSP Projects are supporting rice farmers countrywide and as the national president of the rice farmers association in the Gambia, ‘we are taking stock of the impact of projects and looking at areas that need to be improved.’
Mr. Baldeh commended the government of the Gambia through the ministry of Agriculture, livestock and food security.
“Normally they (GAFSP) support quality seeds and inputs like fertilizers, and for this region URR, they supported over 170 hectares of rice seeds and fertilizers free of charge. He disclosed.
Mr. Baldeh further emphasised the need to take stock and report back to the government through the ministry about the project impacts and the areas that might need improvement. He confirmed that last year they even had land preparation done for them by tractor ploughing, but this year the project, maybe due to constraints, they cannot support ploughing their lands.
“But quite honestly rice farmers are growing a lot of rice and reducing post-harvest losses. We need to increase the fleet of combined harvesters and become mechanised for us to attain this dream of getting rice food self-sufficiency by the year 2030. It is clear manifestation that rice farmers have taken the initiative to make sure that we feed our country. This is our dream and our vision”, rice farmers Association president said.
In Barrow Kunda, Wul, West, URR where GAFSP Project supported farmers with the construction of a standard seed store for rice and maize seeds, and fertiliser, Karamo Touray National President for Maize farmers Association, said that the store provided by GAFSP project is more than useful to them.
