B y Haruna Kuyateh
Beneficiaries from 97 communities in North Bank and Central River Regions have extolled the Gambia Future Now for the supports provided to them.
Gambia Future Now is a local NGO partner from Germany which has provided a labour saving devices to some of the communities of the two regions in The Gambia to address post-harvest loss with distribution of 97 peanut ‘dicorticating’ machines, 97 solar kits for light and mobile charging, 97 protective eye glasses and 97 weighing scales to 97 communities in `4 districts across North Bank and Central River Regions.
The presentation was held last Wednesday in Farafenni North Bank Region and graced by Regional and local authorities from the two regions respectively.
Honorable Ousman Bah Former National Assembly Member for Sabach Sanjal who is the Country Coordinator of Gambia Future Now underscored the agency resolved to compliment government efforts in addressing post harvest losses on groundnuts.
He disclosed that the ‘dicorticating’ machines and weighing scales would contribute to strengthen farmers’ capacity to maintain seed quality and promote the use of scales to embrace standardisation.
He went further disclosed that the support from the Gambia Future Now worth D15million and noted that plan are in place to repair 2100 hand pumps across the country by Gambia Future Now.
Honorable Bah thanked his German partners for their invaluable support to the regions in the country/
He reminded the gathering about the organization past assistance to the regions which included establishment of poultry farms for women and youths in Sabach Sanjal district. Gambia Future; and earlier this year also they disbursed D500,000.00 to 20 women groups to support them in small businesses.
When farmers decorticate peanuts and sell them, he said, they will have 20% more on the prices while they will also use their own scales such that vendors who use faulty scales will not be able to cheat on them. Noted further that, for the solar kits, they will be able to recharge their phones and have easy access to communication. All this materials are given to the communities free but with understanding that they must plough back whatever is generated from the project into the development of the respective communities.
He thanked the government for creating the enabling environment for them to be able to complement government’s efforts.
However, Musa Kanteh Deputy Governor for NBR, chief Pierre Bah of Niani all thanked the donor and Honorable Ousman Bah for their foresight. Councilor Awa Gaye ward councilor for Kerr Jarja ward and Honorable Ousman Touray National Assembly Member for Sabach Sanjal and Alhajie Samboujang Jagne Community Elder of Farafenni described the support as timely and important, noting that it would strengthen women capacity and solar lighting including mobile charging would obviously improve lives and livelihood.
