The Gambia Farmers’ Union has commended government’s efforts geared towards the promotion of agriculture with high subsidy on fertilizer prices, says a release from State House in Banjul.
It indicates that President Adama Barrow, on Friday June 16 received members of the Farmers’ Union, who came to show appreciation for his Government’s efforts to improve farming.
The release said the visitors showed appreciation for government’s efforts in promoting agriculture with the high subsidy on fertiliser prices for the 2023-farming season. That during the audience, President Barrow assured the visitors of his Government’s commitment to promote agriculture, by stressing on the importance of farming in fighting poverty and ensuring food security.
“We do not import groundnut and coos because we grow them. If we are serious about rice production, we would not have ships docking to bring rice into the country,” he proposed.
The release said the President further informed the visiting members of the Farmer’s Union that his Government prioritises infrastructure to develop Agriculture, by focusing on land rehabilitation and constructing canals in rice fields. The news release says the president pledged to launch high-level engagements to support rice production in the country.
The release said speakers from the visiting members of the Farmer’s Union expressed joy with the new fertiliser price this year, and thanked the President and his Government for taking such a bold and important decision. The news release added that they argued that the current market price for cereal reflects the high fertiliser cost in 2022, and pledged to sell their products to the GGC, while calling for his government to build storage facilities to preserve and market local produce. The release states that to maintain and ensure fertiliser is accessible to the farmers in the country, the visitors promised to watch out for any attempt to sell their produce outside the country.
The release said the Farmers’ Union used the opportunity to thank the Management of the Gambia Groundnut Corporation (GGC), for their constant engagement with farmers, and the Ministry of Agriculture for the early distribution of improved rice varieties to farmers.
The release said the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Demba Sabally, commended the Union for recognising Government’s efforts in making life easier for Gambians, and disclosed that to support livestock farmers, the Barrow Government has provided D55 million to facilitate the availability of livestock for the upcoming Tobaski Ram Sale.
Speakers included the Union’s President Alieu Bah of Medina Daru; Vice President Alhajie Ceesay of Niamina Pateh Sam; Secretary Modou Njie of Fass Omar Saho; treasurer Modou Mala Kah of Medina Sering Mass; Assistant PRO Amara Tunkara of Suduwol; Farmers’ Advocate Pa Nderry Touray, amongst others.