Editorial

The National Disaster Management Agency according to reports has so far completed food distribution in three regions of the country.We can say for certain that most of the hardest hit families now have enough food that would enable them start the farming season with ease.Wecommend the Agency for the timely response and accomplishment of the project on time.

We also wish to remind the people about the farming season that has just begun. The fact that we are in need of food aid is itself an indication that we need to work extra hard this farming season so that we accomplish the vision of the leadership in making the country food self-reliant.

It is evident that the president did not make this back-to-the-land-call a matter of mere words, but he rather led by example. In spite of his status as a head of State, President Jammeh cultivates his own farm. It is up to us, Gambians, to take him as our role model.

What is even more impressive is that the government did not approach the initiative in a manner that will only stop at permitting farmers to have their own farms, but is also teaming up with outside partners to ensure that high-quality and fast growing products are available for our agricultural development. 

However, what remains to be delved on now is for the people for whom all these efforts are being made to take ownership of the opportunities at hand, and make maximum use of them. The call also goes to the youth of this country. As the cream of society, venturing into farming activities, a noble profession, will greatly serve as a catalyst to curtailing the phenomena of unemployment and other vices.

This will guarantee employment opportunities, with the potential to cut down on the dependency ratio. Again, as has been said over and over, the only way to achieve all these is simply through attitudinal change. Let us therefore till the land for our common good.