The Social Security and Housing Finance Cooperation (SSHFC) Tuesday presented a cheque for the sum of D50, 000 to the Gambia Women's Federation as their contribution towards the feeding expenses of the women during next weekend's farming activity on the president's farms in Kanilai and environs.

The presentation was made through the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy at her office at State House in Banjul. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Edward Graham, the managing director of SSHFC stated that what the women are about to do should be everybody's concern. He also noted that the Gambian leader always urged people to go back to the land. "That's why we the management of the SSHFC considered it very important for us to be here to show our little way, how we valued this work you (VP) are championing with the women. When you invest in agriculture, you invest in the people, as it will lead to a more healthy nation. In addition, we also gave out 21 villas in Kanilai to the women for accommodation during their stay."

GEAP donation
In a similar vein, the Gambia Emergency Agricultural Production Projects (GEAP) also donated 485 bags (50kg) of new seeds of Nerica rice, 200 bags of compound fertilizer as well as 200 bags of urea fertilizer to the Gambia Women’s Federation.

Speaking shortly after the presentation ceremony, Ida Faye Hydara, the executive director of Women’s Bureau, thanked SSHFC and GEAP for what she described as their foresight, noting that the Agriculture Ministry has been working with the women of this country. She then assured that the donated items will be distributed through the women councilors among the villages. For her part, VP Njie-Saidy equally thanked SSHFC and the GEAP Project for their gesture, saying whatever the Gambian leader points out is what they (women) will do.

She described agriculture as an important sector in the development of any nation adding that the president has taken farming to another step in this country. "It is through him that people admire farmers, as everybody now wants to be a farmer," she added.

The vice president further spoke at length on the importance of farming in today’s generation, citing different areas in agriculture such as crop production and animal husbandry among a host of others. She commended the SSHFC, describing them as true partners in development. She also challenged the women to be steadfast in their cause, saying she was assured that with the items donated women will make a big difference in their respective areas.