By Haruna Kuyateh
The Ministry of Agriculture has hoped for a good cropping season during a closing ceremony on assessment of crops meeting held in North Bank Region.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Saikou E Sanyang expressed satisfaction on performance of crops in the region, while John Mendy, assistant director of the Ministry of Agriculture at Kerewan sail “all the inputs has reach farmers on time.
He noted that free ploughing of 300ha at Salikene rice field by NEMA project has enhance timely planting, too.
Mr Mendy disclosed that FAO supported 2414 farmers with seed and aflasave to help control aflatoxin content on groundnut to enable farmers have better price and ease marketing.
He revealed that the establishment of the regional multipurpose cooperation society contributed in distribution of rice seed in the lowland and fertilizer.
The assistant director therefore urged farmers to plant trees on their farm to help address erosion cause by rain and flooding.
Mama Manneh, director of Njawara Agricultural Training Centre urged the Ministry to continue supporting vulnerable farmers to enhance resilient building.
“The provision of climate smart agriculture, cash support to buy draught animals, farm implement, seed to ensure planting and poultry keeping for women and youths,” he said.
Muhamed Touray and Alieu Touray both farmers at Makka Farafenni lauded government for providing quality fertilizer to farmers at affordable price this they said has enhanced the growth and development of plants.
Tamba Jammeh, coordinator of Mama Tamba Youth Empowerment Association said: “the youth association is involved in value addition of moringa in to soap, power, poultry breeding, agro forestry, compost making, and vegetable gardening and most importantly on the restoration of Baobolong wetland.”
Falai Janneh District Extension Supervisor DES at Njaba Kunda farming centre said so far there is no reported of insect infestation on the farms.
He noted that farmers started planting their seeds with first rain of 24mm and anticipate bumper harvest as early millet are at flowering stage while some farmers will soon harvest their maize.
