The director general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has declared Africa as his institution's priority during his mandate, the FAO country representative in The Gambia disclosed on Tuesday.

Babagana Ahmadou, who made the disclosure during the opening of the first-ever National Farmers Platform in the Central River Region town of Janjangbureh, stressed that strengthening policy dialogue between government and small-scale farmers are primary in the agenda of priorities of FAO under the current leadership.

The two-day national farmer convergence, which attracted farmers and associations across all regions of the country, was designed to discuss among other things, critical impediments affecting farmers and agriculture and natural resources in the country so as to come up with tangible recommendations.

The FAO country boss used the opportunity to laud the government of The Gambia for its noble initiative that will facilitate unifying farmers for a common cause as well as strengthen their efforts to obtain the best of support to enhance their efficiency. He averred that the forum is of paramount importance especially among farmers and operators in the sector, and between them and support sources primarily the government and development partners, and in the process widen the scope of participation in the development of the sector.