The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Alhagie Babou Jallow
11 November 2009
Banjul — The Regional Agricultural Services director of North Bank Region (NBR), Alphu J Marong, has predicted that the 2009 cropping season will be successful, hinting on the high participation of farmers in rice production.
He made this remarks at Kinteh Kunda rice field in Lower Baddibu while assessing the farms on harvesting. Commenting on aflatoxin on cereals, notably rice, Marong called on the farmers to adhere to the advice of the extension service personnel, and to ensure early transportation of harvested rice so as to avoid infestation. "The Plant Protection Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture attaches special attention to the quality of the produce, with prevention of aflatoxin of groundnut as major focus," he said.
For his part, Kebba Kinteh, a native of Kerewan, said the purpose dilated on the significance of communal farming. The move, he added is to encourage and enhance rice production for food self-sufficiency. "The cultivation of the farm was possible thanks to the support of the Gambia Rice Project for food self-sufficiency drive," he said. He observed that such support enabled many women rice farmers to venture into more aggressive rice production to attain food security at rural household level. He told this reporter that the proceeds from the communal farm would be used for seed multiplication for many interested farmers.
Kebba Kinteh, who is a model rice grower, thanked the Taiwanese government for providing them with power tiller to enhance rice production. He also thanked President Jammeh for his numerous initiatives geared towards making the country a green basket in agriculture. He used the opportunity to call on the authorities to assist farmers with farm implements and review high cost of land preparation per hectares for average farmers, with the objective of attaining food security. The availability of rice threshing and milling machines, he said would go a long way in boosting their efforts to ensuring food security at the various household levels.
Also speaking to this reporter, Batch Samba Njie, plant and pest protection officer for the North Bank Region, hailed the women for their dedication and commitment in the overall food security initiative, citing their participation in the Gambia Rice Project and other worthwile ventures as laudable. He urged the women farmers to collect quality seed for next year's cropping seasons so as to avoid delay in sowing the seeds. He assured them of his department's support at all times. Suna Jamba, lady president of the women's group, commended the Gambia Rice Project for the support and assured them of their willingness to promote Nerica production.
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