The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Alhagie Babou Jallow
5 November 2009
The Agricultural field officer at Njaba Kunda, Sana Singhateh, has commended one Alhagie Modibou Keita, a farmer at Njaba kunda in Central Baddibu District of the North Bank Region for his contribution to the diversification of agriculture by cultivating different varieties of crops to contribute to the attainment of food security.
Mr. Singhateh was speaking to the Daily Observer's NBR correspondent recently during the harvesting of an eight (8) hectares groundnut field of Alhagie Modibou Keita. The agricultural field officer applauded the efforts undertaken by Keita to complementing and responding to the Ministry of Agriculture's call on farmers to diversify agriculture so as to boost food production in the country.
He went on to note that the total area of land that is currently under cultivation in Central Baddibu under The Gambia Rice Project particularly for Nerica rice is 605 hectares, out of which some 725 female and 271 male farmers participated in the project. He uses the opportunity to commend male farmers of Njaba Kunda, Marong Kunda, Mandori, Salikene and Minteh Kunda for their active participation in the country's drive to making stable food available and affordable.
He expressed optimism that the coming years would witness high production of Nerica rice, as The Gambia Rice Project has set the pace for active farmers to venture and support the president clarion call of back to land to attain food self sufficiency. He predicted bumper harvest for rice and groundnut and appealed to the farming communities to adhere to all extension advices so as to protect their crops from toxin and to apply to the letter the imformation they are given concerning groundnut storage to avoid infestation before they are stored. The practice would help to contribute to better health care of farming communities and enhance good quality seed and boost food production.
Speaking on the occasion Alh. Modibou Keita thanked the President and Taiwanese government for coming up with The Gambia Rice Project, noting that the project has made it possible for many farmers to get in to rice production. He revealed that the purpose of getting in to crop diversification was not only to enhance food security but also increase income capacity of rural household family.
The attainment of food security calls for concerted efforts of all and sundry to complement government invaluable initiatives. The model farmer thanked president Jammeh for taking the lead in agricultural activities. He also thanked The Gambia Rice Project department for the material and technical support they rendered to him in the cultivation of high yield Nerica rice at the grassroots level.
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