By Modou Kanteh, Information Officer MoA
The Honorable Minister for Agriculture has concluded her nationwide tour with a smile as she foreseen this year’s farming season as a success. The seven-day tour took the minister and team to all the Agricultural regions to gather first-hand information on this year’s cropping season Giving an overview of the whole farming season Hon. Amie Fabureh said,” I am indeed impress of what I have seen around the country, as a Ministry our joy is to see farmers benefit from their toils.” The Minister was accompanied by deputy permanent secretary Mr. Musa M .Humma, Director General Department of Agriculture Dr. Saikou E. Sanyang, Director General, National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Dr. Demba Jallow, Director General, National Seed Secretariat Mr. Morro Manga. Coordinator, Central Project Coordinating Unit(CPCU) Mr. Abdoulie Touray, and other senior officials of the Ministry.
Farmers in various regions thanked the Minister for the support given to them by the ministry of agriculture particularly the COVID-19 support funds from International Food for Agricultural Development (IFAD), through the NEMA project. All farmers have agreed that the COVID-19 fund was indeed helpful to them. The fund was used to provide seeds and fertilizers and plowing services. Farmers in various regions further asked the Minister to support them more with farming equipment like tractors, power tillers and storage facilities.
In responding to farmers request for support, Hon. Fabureh reminded the farmers that the Ministry of agriculture under her leadership would never relent in supporting the farming community. She said just before the rains equipment were distributed to them but her Ministry would endeavor to give more support to the farmers. The Hon. Minister reminded farmers that His Excellency President Adama Barrow is aware of the importance of agriculture in national development. And that is the reason the sector is very dare to the president’s heart.
The Minister assured the farmers that there are fertilizers all over the country for vegetable gardens and dry season rice production across the country. She said this year the government would announce the commencement of groundnuts trade season very early, the price would be higher than that of last year and that there would not be credit buying..
Hon. Fabureh also visited a groundnut farm belonging to the governor of Central River Region Hon. Abba Sanyang. Minister Fabureh call on other civil servants in the country to engage in farming, pointing out that farming is a profession that has a potential to develop the nation.