By: Sulayman Waan
Teaching Artist Institute (TAI), working in the area of agricultural launched a Soil Solution project, at Plaza building in Serekunda on 1st March, 2019.
This project aims to promote agriculture and enlighten farmers on soil infertility such as the cause of soil infertility and mechanisms use to regain the soil fertility to ensure fruitful farming in the Gambia.
In his remarks, Ebrima Jarra, TAI coordinator, said the project is gear toward mitigating hunger in the Gambia through improving farmers understanding in farming, adding the country would attained the food security aspiration if the country’s resource like the river Gambia and other agricultural suitable activities are utilize.
“Soil Solution is group of young people who accepted agriculture in good faith. We will continue to inspire more youth to embark on agriculture,” he said.
He further pointed out that the project’s vision is to complement communities that grows crops, saying TAI will train farmers on soil management, best practice on soil, facilitates development among local farming communities, to advocate for farmers support in manufacturing, hospitalizing, tourism sectors and to create platform to enlighten farmers.
He noted this project is also committed in protecting the environment from hazards saying “If one is committed, people must be committed to the environment as well.”
He said the organization is open to work with national and international organizations as well as other agricultural institutions so as to advance the farming sector.
Abdurrahman Jobe, director of soil and water management services at the Ministry of Agriculture described the project as relevant for the country as the country is not food secure. He said for food security to be assured it must be available, accessible in a sufficient quality and stable supply to the public.
He recommended the organization to devote more on agricultural land and water management strategies which he means have more effects on soil management, adding they should further help in improving on development of agricultural markets, national food and nutrition security, sustainable farming development among others.
“The problems of soil and water management especially in the rural areas are acidity, iron turgidity, erosion and salinity. These are mostly found in the Central River Region, Lower River Region and West Coast,” the soil and water management expert said.
Babucarr Kebbeh, chief executive officer of Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC) said statistic has shown that if the world did not change its attitude towards agriculture by 2050 about 800 million people will face malnutrition and poverty.
According to him, GYCC is supporting farmers, adding the institution is also training youth on farming, agro processing, poultry as well as advocating for farmers in term of policy initiation among other relevant activities to ensure the advancement of agriculture in the country.
“One of the biggest challenges in the country is food insecurity and this is as a result of low participation of the public in agriculture,” he said.