A trade fair for horticultural harvests and rice produced by Gambian farmers kicked-off yesterday at the newly constructed Agricultural Produce Marketing Centre in Banjulinding.

According to the Taiwanese Technical Mission (TTM) in The Gambia, the D10- million marketing complex will serve as a confluence of marketing quality produces of farmers at wholesale prices, thereby augmenting their earning capacity.

At the opening of the trade fair yesterday, farmers displayed a wide range of fresh produces from the farms and a 'brown' rice, which were produced under the supervision of Taiwanese specialists. Deputising for the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Sulayman Trawally, Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Agriculture, welcomed the project and called for its replication in other parts of the country, considering the large concentration of farmers across the country.

PS Trawally informed the gathering that Gambian farmers have long been confronted with difficulties in the marketing of their produces. He said this has suppressed their desires to produce on a large-scale, forcing them to be at the mercy of some people, who purchase their cereals and crops at cheap prices.

However, he observed that the construction of the marketing centre will encourage Gambian farmers to produce on a large-scale to earn better income.
He observed that the production of more rice and other agricultural produces in the country runs to complement efforts for the attainment of food self-sufficiency for the country by 2015.

The DoSA's PS challenged Gambian men to engage in crucial production sector of the economy, noting that this sector is dominated by women folk. He observed that "this would help the country to save the excess foreign exchange spent on the importation of food stock in the country, to address other priority areas".
He then lauded the project and thanked TTM  and Action Aid The Gambia, for coming to the aid of Gambian farmers.

Naffie Barry, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment, who deputised for the Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and Employment, described the complex as a landmark achievement, considering the fact that Gambian farmers are faced with post harvest marketing  problems. "Once there is a market, the farmers will be able to produce more," she said.

DPS Barry implored women entrepreneurs to come forward and play their role to ensure an effective marketing system of the produce.
Dr Patrick Chang, Taiwanese Ambassador in The Gambia, said Action Aid The Gambia provided D3.9 million, while the TTM provided D6.1 million. Ambassador Chang reminded the gathering that President Jammeh attaches great importance to the development of agriculture, as pronounced in the 'Back to the Land' call.

He urged the people to utilise the vast land that the country is blessed with, saying that the marketing centre is at a good location for the marketing of farmers' produce.
Dr Chang then commented on the 'brown' rice exhibition. He said the TTM has experimented the market for the variety and discovered good sale for it.

Kadesa Jammeh, a Lady President in Banjulinding, expressed appreciation to the government and TTM for the project.