Wildfire destroyed seven gardens and women calls for urgent support 

By: Haruna Kuyateh

Women, farmers in Kinteh Kunda Janneh Ya of Lower Badibou has launched an urgent to National Disaster Management Agency, Department of Agriculture and other humanitarian organisations to support vegetable gardeners with fencing materials. The called was made on Thursday following a wildfire that destroyed vast land and seven vegetable gardens and left farmers with less hope on their gardens.

Speaking to The Voice Newspaper in Kinteh Kunda Janneh Ya Marang Kinteh Lady Councillor for Lower Badibou   described the incident as unfortunate and reiterated the need for support.

Madam Kinteh said the support would help women farmers to increase production and productivity, stressing that women are hardworking and gardens help to boost income and nutritional supplementation.

Fatoumata Koba Fatty, Ramata Konateh and Kutubo Camara, speaking for women from different gardens says that   the destruction is the worst the community has ever experienced. The trio’s call on Department of Agriculture to support them in this difficult moment, as vegetable gardens is the only source of mitigating the effects of climate change and food security.

The women noted that 2019 cropping season was poor especially rice and said the vegetables destroyed are on the verge of harvest.

Karamo Kinteh a retire teacher  who double as farmer said there is need for agricultural projects to support farmers with standard fencing and water facilities to boost production.

He said the cause of fire is yet to be established and with all indications that it has destroyed farmland at the rice fields and some fruit trees were also burnt. The situation of vegetable growers call for concerted and urgent support, as they have no other means to address the situation, citing the affected gardens were using temporal structures

Kinteh Kunda Janneh ya of Lower Badibou and the affected gardens need urgent fencing materials to protect remaining plants from animals. The fire started 12pm and due to strong wind farmers couldn’t control it. Wildfire has destroyed vast land and Seven gardens were burnt and all vegetables