The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Gambia Office last Thursday validated The Gambia National Agricultural Investment Plan at a ceremony held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi.

The objectives of the plan is to increase food security, income generation capacity and nutritional status of the farmer beneficiaries particularly women and youths through the use of appropriate sustainable water management. The document also seeks to contribute to agricultural transformation of small holder farmers from traditional subsistence base to a more market-oriented, commercial sector through support to value-chain development.

Dr Amadou Sowe, the permanent secretary1, Ministry of Agriculture in his opening remarks said the validation of the document would contribute to the faster achievement of the Vision 2020 target. He observed that there are still a number of challenges that are lingering within the agriculture sector, which include inadequate agricultural infrastructure and the weak performance of the equatorial side.

He also told the gathering that as part of the national investment plan, food and nutrition have been taken up very seriously. He explained that the validated document has six major programmes which all work with the realities and priorities of the country's agricultural plans such as the development of agricultural chains and promotion.

He then commended all stakeholders who have contributed to the successful preparation of the plan particularly the FAO Gambia Office. Essa Khan, the director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) hailed the document, saying it is all-inclusive and touched all the critical sectors in country.

Patrick Teixeira, the head of programmes at the World Food Programme (WFP) Gambia Office, expressed gratitude for the special attention given to food security in the country. He renewed his office's commitment in collaborating with the Gambia government in achieving agricultural goals.