By: Sandally Sawo
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Demba Sabally, said the Gambia government is preparing the ground for thecreation of pasture fields across the Upper River Region(URR) to, in his words, end the friction between farmers and cattle herders.
The agriculture minister also revealed that the government has a plan to provide 11 water drinking points across the URR to end the water stress experienced by herders in the region.
According to Dr. Sabally, the pasture fields would be established to help cattle and small ruminants access fodder.
“Plans are afoot to create pasture fields for cattle and small ruminants and the aim is to diffuse the friction between farmers and animal rearers,” the agric. minister said at President Barrow’s Mansajang meeting held over the weekend.
He explained that the 11 proposed water drinking points for livestock will be established in 11 communities.
The minister told the URR animal rearers that seeds for pastures are available at the Basse Area Council for distribution.
On the upcoming groundnut trade season, Dr. Saballyreminded groundnut farmers that groundnut marketing begins December 4th and they must, therefore, take advantage of it by selling their produce to the GGC.
Grain Banking
He informed the meeting that the government is desirous of devising a food banking scheme in which, millet, coos, maize, and other grains will be bought by the government and stored for future use and sale.
He appealed to the elders of URR to allocate lands to the youth to promote agriculture.
The minister also pointed out that the Giraffe project will embark upon major garden rehabilitation interventions in the URR to boost food production.
