The project director ofSustainable Agriculture and Environment Governance Project (SAGE) Madam Almudena Moreno Fernandez recently visited project sites at Mandory and Salikene in the Central Badibou in the North Bank Region (NBR).

She explained that the SAGE project aims to improve food security, land management, environment and energy to enhance sustainable livelihood of the people. She added that the projects is in The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissa. Madam Fernandez also visited the Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC) Anti-Salt Dyke Construction and Improved Cooking Stoves project in Central Baddibu District in NBR.

She applauded the communities of Salikene and Mandory for their active participation and support to the implementation of project activities. She noted that the construction of anti-salt dykes in Salikene and Mandori wouldenhance food production and sustainable livelihood.

Madam Fernandez also expressed satisfaction with the high rate of project implementation of the Agency for the Development of Women and Children. She assured them of SAGE’s commitment to empower and enhance sustainable land management, food security, environment and energy, with a view to improving lives and livelihood of the peoples and contribute to poverty reduction.

On his part, Mamsamba Joof, the executive director of ADWAC explained that the partnership with SAGE project focuses on environment and energy, promotion of improved cooking stoves and school environment programmes all aimed at empowering communities and schools to contribute to food security and sustainable environmental management.

Joof acknowledged the enormous support and collaboration ADWAC continues to benefit from SAGE and its implementing partners FODE in Senegal and APRODEL in Guinea Bissau during periodic joint project review and planning meetings in Kolda, Senegal. He noted that the partnership has enabled implementing partners to share best practices and techniques of promoting sustainable agriculture and environment governance programmes along the border villages.

Sambujang Dampha, SAGE Food Security officer of ADWAC advised farmers to optimally use the seeds provided by the project to boostfood production and environmental governance. He noted that the Anti Dyke construction in Salikene and Mandori was designed to support communities to reclaim land and increase food production. He also advised the Dyke Management Committee to be proactive in the upkeep of the spillways and maintenance of dykes.

Damphalauded the high community involvement and participation by the community of Salikene in the construction of anti-salt dykes, noting that the move demonstrated the people’s commitment to the total ownership of project.

Speaking in Salikene Ba, Saikou Kanteh, Momodou Bintou Dibba and Manka Trawally commented on the involvement of ADWAC and SAGE in the anti-salt dyke construction, noting that it has accorded them the opportunity to reclaim abandoned rice fields and increase food production.

The community representatives hailed the efforts of partner NGOs for providing them with high quality seed, noting that the support aimsto complement government efforts in food security and sustainable livelihood.