The Nerica Farmers’ Association of the North Bank Region, on Wednesday weed a two-hectare coos farm belonging to the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), at Chamen village in the North Bank Region.

The president of North Bank Nerica Farmers’ Association, Sambou Dampha thanked the SSHFCfor partnering with his Association in promoting food production, and applauded farmers for the large turnout. He said the partnership would enhance farmers’ participation in the diversification of food production and productivity. According to him, the empowerment of farmers requires concerted efforts of all development partners in the attainment of food self-sufficiency.

Dampha said the weeding exercise of the SSHFC aimed at encouraging farmers’ associations to diversify and strengthen the country’s quest of food self-sufficiency. He appealed to the government to support farmers with fertilizers at affordable prices.

Ali Njie, Agric officer at Farafenni, commended farmers for their participation and support to the food self-sufficiency drive. He said the large turnout of farmers on the weeding of SSHFC farm is a clear testimony to the partnership. He lauded SSHFC for complementing the efforts of the Department of Agriculture, in promoting crop diversification and the attainment of food security.

Njie went on to thank Food and Agricultural Organisation, West African Agricultural Production Project (WAAPP) and The Gambia Rice Expansion Project (GAMRICE) for the timely provision of seeds to farmers.

Ansumana Charty, a member of the Nerica Farmers’ Association, called on people to respond to the President’s back to the land call. mAccording to him, farmers’ participation and cooperation will give knowledge and skills on farming, to enhance production and boost income at community level.

Other speakers included Binta Kanyi of Jumansarr, Mama Dibba and Bakary Jammeh of Farafenni, who all expressed gratitude to SSHFC for their support to the Nerica Farmers’ Association.