In a bid to complement  governement's efforts to attain food self-suffiency in rice, the Taiwanese Embassy in The Gambia, recently donated a bag of paddy rice to the Farafenni Civil Servant Association (FCSA). The rice is a new variety of rice (ATM3) which is going to boost rice cultivation in the country.

Speaking to our reporter, Sergeant Dodou Jammeh, public relations officer of FCSA, expressed his profound gratitude to the Taiwanese Embassy for what he called a benevolent gesture.  He explained that the donated rice was meant to be cultivated on their plot of land in Farafenni.  In addition, he explained that the association was formed not only to focus on their work as civil servants, but also to offer services to Gambians at the grassroots.  He further pointed out that the association has pledged to actively participate in the socio-economic development of the country, while fostering unity among its members.

For his part, Mr Demba Sambou, chairman of  the said association, revealed that  the donation was facilitated by Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, speaker of the National Assembly, whom he said is the association's mother.  He therefore hailed the speaker for her tireless efforts towards the development of their association.

He went to say that the rice will be used for what it was intended.  He further disclosed that farming constitutes one of the association's main priorities, as it is meant to respond positively to the Gambian leader's 'back to the land call'.  He then urged the people of Farafenni to support the association, saying the proceeds will be ploughed back to the community.

Staff Sergeant Babucarr Ngum, social security, pointed out that their areas of intervention will also include horticultural gardening all year round, animal fattening and poultry, among others.

Staff Sergeant Ngum opined that if every Gambian embraces the president's 'back to the land' call, the country will be able to feed itself and the unemployment among youths especially will soon be history.  He reaffirmed their commitment to complementing the government's efforts for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals earlier than expected.

In a separate engagement, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the deputy director general of Immigration and staff to brief them about their activities. He (the deputy director general) advised them to forge ahead and build strong relationships among themselves.