The Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC) recently launched a regional partnership project called the Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Governance (SAGE) in Brikamaba, Lower Fulladu District, Central River Region (CRR) south. The project is a regional partnership programme which includes three countries; namely The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissau and it has a lifespan of four years.

In his launching statement on behalf of the regional governor, the Community Development officer for CRR south, Lamin Badjie, applauded ADWAC for complementing government's efforts in the areas of food security, environmental sustainability, land management and gender, which he described as cross-cutting issues. He said that implementing such type of project in the region is welcomed, noting that quality agricultural productivity can meet the food needs of the people. He called on partners to support in the implementation of the project.

The executive director of ADWAC, Mam Samba Joof, outlined the ultimate objective of the project, noting that it will contribute towards improving the livelihood of Gambians through sustainable agricultural and environmental governance. He informed that the project is being funded by a Spanish organisation called AECID and that it has four components, including food security, environment & energy, land management and gender.

The project, Joof went on, is aimed to reduce vulnerability and food insecurity in order to guarantee the physical and economic access to food. The ADWAC boss noted that the project will also contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of women and children by securing the supply of domestic fuels and reducing consumption of wood energy. He said women will be given the central role they deserve as they play a vital role in the attainment of food security.

In her closing remarks, Fatoumatta Bintou Koria, a representative of FODD project in Senegal spoke at length on the important areas the SAGE project will concentrate. She also disclosed that the project will encourage forest regeneration activities and will empower women groups to have access to the process of planning and decision making bodies.

Among other speakers were the chief of Lower Fulladu, Momodou Lamin Baldeh and the lady councillor, Fatou Trawally.