The Global Agriculture Food Security Project (GAFSP) recently approved a sum of US$28 million to support Gambian farmers to help them realise the country’s food security objective.

Alieu Sowe, the national coordinator of the National Coordinating Organisation for Farmers Associations, The Gambia (NACOFAG) made this disclosure on Tuesday at the opening of the first-ever National Farmers’ Conference held inJanjangbureh. 

Attended by Cabinet ministers, farmers and their associations’ representatives among others, the forum was designed to bring to the fore some of the challenges confronting the farmers as well as to come up with reasonable recommendations as the country works toward attaining food self-sufficiency.

Sowe used the opportunity to thank the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO and partners who supported in one way or the other to make the maiden farmers convergence a reality.  His words: “NACOFAG has been collaborating with the Ministry and Government in particular over the years, all geared towards food security. I then urged the farmers to make the best use of this first ever national conference.”

The NACOFAG coordinator commended Gambian women, who he said are keenly engaged in agriculture in all aspects. He also urged the youths to come forward to take up agriculture as a source of income generation. He explained that farmers have many opportunities, revealing that IFAD is also working out a project called NEMA, which has also put in an allocation to help the capacities of the farmers’ organisations in the next seven years.

Sowe then called for concerted efforts to harness the country’s agriculture potentials, while further explaining that his institution as a national network coordinating the Farmers’ Association in The Gambia and beyond has been tasked with the responsibility of providing technical, managerial and financial support to its members.

“Finally, I extend on behalf of all farmers organisations, [thanks] to all those who supported and contributed to the success of the conference, and once again thank the Ministry for the support,” he concluded.