Thousands of volunteers from Kabiling andDonbonding villages in the neighbouring Senegalese region of Casamance and members of Bojan, Manga, Bajan families, over the weekend converged on the farm of Aja Fatou Asombi Bojang, mother of the president of the Republic in Bujinga, Foni Kansala District of the West Coast Region to help in the clearing and ploughing.

Speaking at the site, Captain Buba Badjie, the farm coordinator expressed delight at working on the farm saying that the only way to attain food sufficiency and security is to answer to the president’s back-to-the-land call. Captain Badjie pointed out that the proceeds generated from the farm goes back to the people as it is geared towards supporting President Jammeh’s development initiatives.

He said that the involvement and participation of the president has now shown people that it is only farming that can make us to be independent and self-reliant. He then commended President Jammeh for spearheading the food self-sufficiency drive in the country.

Yahya Bojang of Bujinga commended the volunteers for their hard work and generosity, while describing Senegal and The Gambia as one people divided by colonial rulers. He noted that a lot of improvement has been made in farming in The Gambia over the years due to the practical involvement of the leadership in the quest to make the country a green basket. He finally thanked Presidents Jammeh and Sall for the cordial relations that exist between The Gambia and Senegal.

Speaking on behalf of the women, Kadesa Sanyang, a volunteer from Casamance, said they are motivated by President Jammeh’s exemplary pan-African leadership. She explained that they are in Bujinga to help the first mother in ploughing the farm. She then prayed for abundant rain with a view to achieve greater bumper harvest at the end of the season.

Suwell Bojang of Bojang, Manga and Bajan Jamoral and several other volunteers also expressed their delight at working on the president mother’s farm and thanked the various volunteers for the support.