A wholesale trade fair of agricultural produces of Gambian farmers will be held on Wednesday, October 31, at the newly completed D10 million worth of Wholesale Agricultural Marketing Centre in Banjulinding.

The event is being organised by the Taiwanese Technical Mission, which co-funded the construction of the centre with the Action Aid The Gambia, with the support of the Department of State for Agriculture.

More than 50 Gambian farmers will take in the event that will exhibit a wide variety of agriculture produces, including horticultural produces and rice.

Confirming this story in an interview with the Daily Observer, Dr Patrick Chang, Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia, said the new marketing complex offers ideal location for marketing farmers' produces, noting that the giant structure is equipped with storage rooms with cooling system to preserve perishable produces of farmers.

Ambassador Chang added that the centre, which is also powered with water supply system, has a vast waiting space with steel roof.

Dr Chang disclosed that the brown rice will also be on display at the trade fair, saying that this variety is also effective in fighting diabetes as it has a high concentration of Vitamin B.

He told this paper that the trade fair presents opportunity to bridge the gaps in marketing information and promotion of agricultural marketing system in the country. He then urged the farmers to seize the opportunity and called on the public to support the cause in order to strengthen the capacity of farmers in the country.

Dr James Tsay, Head of the Taiwanese Technical Mission in The Gambia, welcomed the initiative, saying that even the farmers' association in Jahally, Central River Region will take part in the event. He said their mission will always make sure that there is quality produce.

According to him, the technical mission will work towards encouraging farmers to undertake commercial agriculture, while diversifying technology in the period of production to help farmers enjoy high prices in the market year-in year-out.

"We want to see them produce water melon not only in the rainy season and horticultural produces, even during the dry season. If this happens, farmers will enjoy good prices for their produces," he said.

He expressed their willingness to demystify production in agriculture for the development of the country, noting that this is crucial to the country's self-sufficiency in food production. "The chance is here. Gambians can now produce good quality rice," he added.

Dr Tsay then hinted this paper on plans to leave management of the centre with the farmers' group. He then amplified Ambassador Chang's call on the public to support the farmers and visit the trade fair.