Regional rice value chain development project launched in the Gambia
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Gambian government, in collaboration with some partners, on Thursday launched a Regional Rice Value Chain Development Project (RRVCDP) meant to contribute to the reduction of high importation rate of rice.
The Gambian government is doing this in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
According to the Gambian Minister of Agriculture, Amie Faburreh, the project will also enhance economic growth through improved production, processing, and marketing that will enhance private-sector participation.
She said on Thursday that the new rice project is milestone in government's commitment to enhance self-food sufficiency in the country.
“The programme is being implemented in two phases - Phase I (2018) included 5 countries: The Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. Phase II (2019) covers the other 5 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Mali, and Sudan.
"Target beneficiaries of the whole programme are 2 million smallholders across the 10 countries of which The Gambia, with the smallest population, is targeting 80,000 beneficiaries,” she stated.
“To the Ministry of Agriculture, the formal launching of RRVCDP marks another opportunity to continue collaboration between the Gambian Government, IDB and BADEA,” she added.
She said the project also aims to assist the targeted countries to achieve their national rice production and commercialization strategies to enhance the self-sufficiency and reduce the significant rice imports in most of them.
Ebrima Sissaho, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the Gambia heavily depends on rice importation with an importation bill of 84 million Dalasis in 2017 and still importing 81% of rice.
Musa Sillah, Regional Coordinator for IDB, said the Gambia is a very important member of IDB and till date, the bank has provided almost US$ 1 billion to The Gambia since its inception to support various projects and the priority sectors.
He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture and BADEA for the collaboration towards the success of the event.
-0- PANA MSS/VAO 4Feb2021
