The 4th edition of the West African Caravan hosted by National Association of Coordinating Farmer’s Organization (NACOFAG) was attended by representatives of Niger, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Senegal, Benin, The Gambia, among other countries.
The overall objective of the Caravan was to contribute to strengthening of grassroots communities in order to challenge decision-makers to improve policies and legislation with the involvement of traditional/customary leaders for inclusive, progressive, fair and equitable governance.
Ousman Badjie, Governor of West Coast Region Governor said the caravan would help raise awareness of communities in the stopover towns and cities on challenges related to the environment, land, water, farmers’ seeds and the need to preserve them for present and future generations.
He urged delegates to continue to sensitise communities on the dangers of climate change, artificial seeds (GMOs), pesticides as well as the need to set up common farmer seed banks and the adoption of agro-ecological practices in their respective localities.
According to Governor Badjie, his region is equally faced with challenges around access to land and ownership for Agriculture, noting that his region has been battling land ownership and increased settlement over the years, resulting to shortage of land.
“Another challenge we are faced with as a region is issues around the availability of quality seeds for vegetable farmers, storage facilities, lack of processing centres for value additions and capacity to supply the market demand,” he also said.
He added that the struggle for land, water and seeds has been a common struggle annually.
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