By: Haruna Kuyateh
The Gambia Rice Value Chain Transformation Program (RVCTP) at the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with Gambia Standards Bureau has held a synergy dubbed National Engagement Public Commenting on two draft Gambian Standards on Rice.
The synergy was held at Governor’s office in Kerewan North Bank Region.
Speaking at the daylong engagement, Governor Lamin Saidykhan thanked Gambia Standards Bureau on the giant steps taking to promote standardization on rice.
This he said would help to strengthen farmers’ capacity to increase production and productivity.
He noted that standardization would help farmers in Central River and Upper River Regions to boost rice production and enhance quality in rice that is affordable and accessible for consumption.
Ebrima Ceesay Social Development Officer at Rice Value Chain Transformation Project noted that the project anchored by NDP is 5 years project value of $7.7Million and it is funded by African Development Bank (ADB) and Government of The Gambia.
The project objective is to improve farm incomes, rural livelihoods, and food nutrition security and contribute to poverty reduction through increased commercialization of rice in the country.
The project targets 30,000 households out of which about 40% will be youths, women and the beneficiaries included processors, seed producers, input dealers, aggregators, private sector operators, transporters and commercial agents.
The project components are production and productivity enhancement, agribusiness, market and capacity development, and Project Management.
Amadou G Jallow Standard Officer at Gambia Standards Bureau noted that developing of standards on standardization on rice value chain will create markets and boost production. He noted that the Private Sector participation is keys and therefore would help to open up markets and ensure quality is assured.
