Kalilu Drammeh, a watermelon farmer in Kerewan in the North Bank Region, has commended FORUT-The Gambia, a local NGO, for its laudable initiative of introducing organic fertilizer with a view to making it affordable and accessible to farmers.

In an interview with the Daily Observer’s correspondent in the North Bank Region, Drammeh said that the application of high quality organic fertilizer on watermelon farms has increased the production and enhanced the income level of farmers. He noted that organic fertilizer is an alternative mode of enriching the soil and it is affordable to farmers and environmentally friendly. He said he uses one quarter of a hectare of land to apply the manure with an additional application of 2 bags of organic fertilizer and he got bumper harvest and was able to harvest twice in the year.

Commenting on pesticide organic spray application, he said that the spray causes no harm on human health and it is very effective. He expressed gratitude to the management of FORUT for complementing the efforts of the government in food security and therefore urged farmers to make optimal use of the technology, to enhance food security.

For his part, Arabo Ansu Kanyi, head teacher of Kerewan Lower Basic School, underscored the need for farmers to use the organic fertilizer, as it enhances early growth of crops. He said farmers should be more proactive in the application of organic fertilizer to attain food security in their households.