By Maimuna Sey Jawo
Gam-Sheep Breeders, a Professional Sheep Breeders Associations governed by National Livestock Owners Association (NLOA) The Gambia, will host a National Ram Show with their Senegalese counterpart in The Gambia on 10th – 14the November, 2021.
It is a maiden show and first time for The Gambia to host such forum. The event is meant to promote sheep breeding in The Gambia and most important to promote breeding as a venture with potential to reduce youth unemployment.
The event exhibition will hold at Abuko and aimed to show Gambian people how they breed and the type of sheep they breed.
Speaking at a press conference held on Saturday at the scheduled venue for the show, Ebrima Jallow, President of Gam-Sheep Breeders Association said about 95% of sheep consumed by Gambians comes from their neighbouring countries, Senegal, Mali or Mauritania.
“It breaks my heart to see millions of dalasi that we spent to get ram from these countries,” he told the press. “This was the main reasons – we invested our wealth into sheep breeding in our own land,” he added.
He said they want to engage themselves in a mass product on breeding, so that in the near future – the importation of sheep into the country will be minimize”
As breeders, Jallow explained that years back they have been knocking at government’s institutions and only few gave them audience but it is improving now noting that government has given a space and contributed into the breeding initiatives.
He then commended the Ministry of Agriculture for touring sheep breeders’ side, which he described as ‘first time in country’s history.”
In his believe, Ebrima O. Jallow, President of National Livestock Owners Association said The Gambia government will definitely support their endeavour to increase the production of livestock.
“We all know livestock production in the country, by looking at the population is very slow and the demand is high but the production (livestock) itself is also very minimal, so this is an effort to the farmers. We need to come together and also collaborate with government to make sure we meet demands of Gambian people,” he stated.
As Gambia host this “National Ram Show,” Jallow called on Gambians and the government to come out to witness this international occasion and support their farmers as well.
