Editorial,

We have almost gone quarter way into the rainy season. As such, we wish to remind the people, the youths in particular, about our responsibility in the battle against poverty. Granting the citizenry their freedom from poverty is one of the prime objectives of the leadership of this government, which continues to endeavor to exhaust all avenues to permit the people this freedom.

But we have to realise that it is our responsibility to exploit these avenues created by the leadership to free ourselves from the menace of poverty. Such can best be achieved through hard work and positive attitudinal change. Agriculture is a vital tool to eradicate poverty. It is the foundation upon which all other developments are built. Making maximum utilization of the rainy season by responding aggressively to the clarion call of going back-to-the-land is perhaps one of our best chances to strenthen our fight against poverty.

The government of The Gambia has taken active steps and advanced greatly to ensuring that the basic necessities for the back-to-land call are available. We have witnessed at the start of the season the disbursement of fertilizers to farmers, distribution of tractors, building of seed stores, alongside the enhancement, over the years, of the country's agricultural research institute as well as regular advice to farmers on effective and effeicient farming methods.

We should therefore see it as national duty to venture into agricultural activities as a gate way to defeating poverty. One thing is certain, by growing a range of different crops, we will have a better chance of having enough of the right kinds of crops to meet our various needs and those of our families. These might include crops that mature at different times or those that can be easily stored, thus help to ensure a stable food supply throughout the year.

Growing a range of crops may help farmers provide a nutritionally-balanced diet for their family, exploit different environmental niches that exist on their land, or diversify their sources of income. Additional income with which to buy more clothing and household goods will undoubtedly stimulate other parts of the economy. There will be an increase in demand for services of food processing, storage, transportation and marketing. Thus a small increase in farm output increases demand for other goods and services and becomes a catalyst for broad-based economic growth.

It is farming time; we should all endeavour to stand up against poverty. Maximum utilization of agriculture can have an important impact on other development areas, through its role in underpinning economic development, reducing poverty and preventing environmental destruction.