Ousman Yarbo, director of The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO) has called on Gambian youths to abandon illegal migration and invest in agriculture.

Mr Yarbo made these remarks recently at an open-day forum in North Bank Region organised by Njawara Agricultural Training Centre. According to him, investing in agriculture is vital as the sector has certain potential and will also mean their answer to the back-to-the-land call.

He stated that it will not only ensure food self-sufficiency but also help reduce the escalating food crises, as well as curb illegal migration.

The Tango boss observed that most youths are of the conviction that life would be good once a person finds him or herself in Europe. He added that with such convictions, youths embark in mass numbers on the illegal journey. "Large amounts of money have been paid by many people on this risky journey and most are deported. We should consider the number of lives and amount of wealth being lost on the route to the Canary Islands," he said.

According to him, revisal of the situation and the encouragement of the youths to engage in agriculture will be vital and will greatly help to ensure enough yield for the country. He urged youths to engage in farming as a means of earning self employment rather than doing the same job in Europe.

He then discouraged parents and those sponsoring the youths to the Canary Island.