'IFAD’s projects in Gambia to help increase food production'

Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Mr. Donald Brown, Associate Vice President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has said that the Fund's projects in The Gambia will help increase food production and ensure national food security in the long run.

A statement made available to PANA on Monday said Mr. Brown was speaking when he called on the Gambian leader, Adama Barrow, at State House at the end of his tour of the country where met with partners in the agriculture sector.

He said the impact of the war in Ukraine on global food security places on the countries the burden to emphasise producing enough food for themselves to support their populations.

Gambia's Minister of Agriculture, Demba Sabally, stressed the importance of food availability and its linkages to national security.  

He said some of the issues discussed with IFAD are on revitalising rice production in Jahally-Pacharr as well as the availability of fertiliser to farmers.

He said that most of the farmers in Jahally-Pacharr are smallholder rice producers, arguing that the country needs a more dynamic agricultural land use policy to ensure food self-sufficiency.  

He added that private investors in the agriculture industry could complement the processes to enhance food security.

-0- PANA MSS/MA 20June2022