The Executive members of the Nerica Farmers Association (NaFA) in URR have recently concluded a four days dialogue with the Nerica farmers in all the seven Districts of Upper River Region.

The team was headed by the president of the association in the South Bank Alhagie Kibili Jaguraga and Mr. Peter Baldeh a senior rice expert and nerica focal person in the said region. Addressing the farmers during the tour, the president Alhagie Kibili Jaguraga highlighted that the aims and objectives of their tour is to familiarise themselves with the members of the association as well as see for themselves the progress and trend in nerica production, the challenges faced by framers, the best practices and the way forward for sustainable Nerica production.

According to him Nerica is one of the crops that can contribute to household food security based on its characteristics of early maturing, high yielding potentials and ecologically advantages. He urged farmers to be actively engaged in Agriculture especially Nerica production so as to attain food self sufficiency and becoming food secure. He pointed out that the aims and objectives of the Association is to encourage and support farmers produce and eat what they grow there by complementing government's efforts in attaining food self sufficiency. He urged the farmers to quantify the number of hectares they would want to cultivate in the next farming season. This he said will help them strategies on how best they can support the farmers. He thanked the farmers for their hard work.

For his part Alhagie Bundawda Samasa, North Bank president, also echoed similar sentiments. He told farmers that they can eradicate hunger with collective cooperation and handwork which he said is an objective of their association. He urged them to help each other in terms of need especially in the area of knowledge and skills transfers and assured them of their continuous support to nerica farmers. The secretary general of the Nerica Farmers Association Abdoulie Jallow, Hasana Juwara Hoja Isatou Fayinke, Haja Fulo Drammeh and Nemuna Camara, all executive members of the association expressed the need for farmers to support the association. They noted that the association belongs to every farmer and their participation and support are very crucial for them to realise their dream of attaining food self sufficiency.

Mariama Trawally, an agric extension worker and Mr. Peter Baldeh, senior rice experts and the focal person for nerica in URR, commended the nerica farmers association and their farmers. He urged them to take their work as a challenge but said with hard work, dedication and cooperation they can surely win the battle of fighting hunger in URR and the Gambia.

Alhagie Tankoro Sillah the Alkalo of Sabi, Balamba Sanuwo Alkalo Julangel, Alhagie Ebrahima Bajah Alkalo of Baja Kunda, Alhagie Bambo Sissoko Alkalo of Sare Alpha and Alhagie Hamna Tunkara Alkalo of Suduwol, all expressed their readiness and commitment to start the campaign for nerica production in their respective villages. They urged the executive members to continue doing their best for the farmers particularly nerica farmers.