By Binta Jaiteh
Mod Secka, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture has explained that under the leadership of President AdamaBarrow, agriculture is prioritised by His Excellency to fight against hunger and as well provide food self-insufficiency.
PS Secka disclosed this while speaking during a handing over ceremony of over 545.4kg of assorted vegetable seeds to 27 women vegetable gardeners with wheelbarrows, Watering Cans, Garden Rakes, Horse Pipes, and Hand Forks to 30 schools in WC, LR, and CR Regions. The handing-over ceremony was held at Sukuta Garden, under the Gambia Agriculture and Food Security Project (GAFSP) Central Projects Coordination Unit (CPCU).
The PS disclosed that from 2022 to 2023 they have been able to provide input such as fertilizers, quality seeds, machinery equipment interns of tractors, and other equipment for farmers.
“This year agriculture will grow substantially in terms of output and that is good for the country because if you have rice to eat and a little bit of groundnut that you sold I think that is a good indication that the livelihood of the people has been changed,” PS highlighted
Kebba Bojang, a representative of the Alkalo of Sukutaapplauded the Ministry and partner for this gesture saying it is a good step that will assist the farmers.
“Every government should make it a priority to fight against hunger and that is why President Barrow is assisting the farmers,” Alkalo representatives praised the government while urging everyone to support the Ministry of Agriculture to address hunger.
Modou Sowe, Director of the GAFSP project said it is a five-year global funded project supervised by the African Development Bank with the government.
“The objective is to fight food and nutrition insecurity and increase the income of vulnerable farmers, particularly women,” he added.
According to him, he said in 2023 they expanded the support and added one garden and 30 schools.
