Agricultural Stakeholders Hold Nerica Rice Field Day in Central River Region
Central River Region, Nov 04, 2011 (Menafn - The Daily Observer/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) --The officials of the Regional Directorate of Agriculture in CRR under the Ministry of Agriculture, and other stakeholders in the development of the sector Tuesday held a field Day on Nerica Rice in Bati Njoll in the Niamina East District of the region.
The initiative is inline with the Upland Rice Expansion Project, an initiative of the government in collaboration with the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan.
The project that started in 2009 was designed among other things to increase upland rice production and productivity to enhance household food self-sufficiency across The Gambia.
Speaking at the site, the regional agriculture director, Ousman Jammeh, underscored that the field day is expected to avail the beneficiaries and other stakeholders the opportunity to see, appreciate and exchange ideas on varietals adaptability, improved agricultural management practices and potentials for expanded rice production and productivity.
He further noted that the objective is to show and emulate the best farmer's work done on the field with a view to ensuring that other farmers take a cue. He then applauded Njoll Yassin Ceesay, a farmer for the magnificent performance, while asserting that due to the erratic nature of this year's rainy season, most of the upland fields failed.
He also informed that assessment teams are on the ground to assess and see the performance of the crops. Speaking earlier, the head of the Taiwanese Technical Mission in The Gambia, Tzou Shuh Kang, described the initiative as yet another important milestone in the development of agriculture in the country.
He underscored that the ROC in The Gambia under the leadership of Ambassador Dr Richard Shih is committed to the socio-economic development of The Gambia, thus pointing out that agriculture development takes a centre-stage in their bilateral cooperation.
He disclosed that CRR South with the support from the directorate has cultivated about 1,029 hectares this year under the Upland Rice Expansion Project. The deputy governor of the region, Alh Malang Saibo Camara expressed his profound appreciation for the initiative, while thanking the regional director and his staff for their relentless commitment to the agricultural revolution in the CRR, particularly the southern part of the region.
He noted that the attainment of food self-sufficiency is a priority of President Jammeh, something he said the Gambian leader continues to demonstrate through his back-to-the-land clarion call. The deputy governor urged farmers in the region to take farming seriously as it is the only way forward in eradicating food insecurity.
Copyright The Daily Observer. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
