Mambury Njie, the minister for finance and economic affairs of The Gambia has disclosed that the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has spent over ninety three million dollars towards the cost of ten projects spanning from 1982 to date when the agency was established in the country.
The finance minister made this disclosure at the validation of the IFAD Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) at a local hotel in Banjul, where he also disclosed that over one hundred and twenty three million dollars ($123m) has been mobilized by Gambia government through co-financing with partners in a bit to alleviating poverty and enhancing food security drive.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development has been recognized by the Gambia government as a key factor in the development of agriculture in the country focusing in the most remote areas with special attention to women, youth and rebuilding rural infrastructures.
Since its establishment, the agency has been proactive on agricultural production, water and soil management, community-based infrastructural development and among others. The agency’s projects have been mostly characterized by area-based and integrated rural agricultural development intervention in the country.
“Since 1982, IFAD has financed 10 projects worth US 93 million and mobilized US123million in additional co-financing from other development partners. This has undoubtedly contributed to poverty alleviation and drives towards food security,” Minister Njie revealed.
According to him, the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme validated is in line with The Gambia government National Development Plan (NDP) blueprint, adding that agriculture remains a key priority in the NDP, which the government allocated approximately 20% of budgetary allocation.
The finance minister continues to disclose that the six years Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) will span from 2019-2024 which would be meant to alleviate poverty and enhance agricultural development in the country.
“The IFAD-supported programmed over the next six years will contribute in reducing of rural poverty and enable small-scale holder in poor priority areas to benefit from the rural transformation process,” says Madam Haoua Sienta, the country’s director for IFAD in The Gambia.
According to her, IFAD looks forward to deepen its partnership with the government of The Gambia, to expand and build on the premises of ensuring that all are committed to the cause of rural communities especially women and youth, adding that women and youths cannot be left behind as far as agricultural development is concerned.
The Minister of Agriculture, Lamin N. Dibba said, the project is timely and coincides with The Gambia government’s effort to accelerate the implementation of the National Development Plan [NDP], especially the strategic priority on modernizing agriculture and fisheries for sustainable economic growth, food and nutritional security and poverty reduction.
Minister Dibba, disclosed that the UN agencies in The Gambia are making interventions in the areas of sustainability and smart agricultural system, youth and women especially the marginalized in rural areas, adding that The Gambia government will capitalize on the comparative advantage of such agencies.
He said, “Knowing that such agencies have leverage resources and collaborating with them will deliver better Strategic Development Goals [SDGs] and ensure that no Gambian is left behind”.
Author: Sariba Manneh