By: Haruna Kuyateh
A rice farmer in the North Bank Region has called for greater support to mitigate the effects of climate change on upland rice cultivation, warning that erratic rainfall patterns continue to threaten food security.
Speaking to The Voice during a recent media outing, Dally Joof of Njie Kundaring said he has been cultivating two hectares of upland rice over the past three years to contribute to food and nutrition security. He noted that the initiative has helped his family live by the principle of “grow what you eat and eat what you grow.”
However, Joof expressed concern that late rainfall and prolonged drought spells are negatively affecting the growth and development of rice, as well as groundnut production. “If the rain continues steadily, we will have a good harvest, but if it stops prematurely, both rice and groundnut cultivation will suffer greatly,” he warned.
His wife, Maimuna Jobe, appealed to the government and agricultural projects to provide farmers with early-maturing rice seed varieties and access to water facilities. She explained that such support would enable them to venture into year-round rice cultivation, thereby strengthening resilience against climate shocks.
“Access to water and improved seeds will help us mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure better harvests for our families,” she said.
In a separate development, Awa Ndow, also from the region, appealed for support after part of her house collapsed during a heavy downpour, leaving her family of five in urgent need of assistance. She called on the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and humanitarian organisations to intervene, while also urging support for women farmers through labour-saving devices such as rice and coos milling machines.
Both appeals highlight the growing challenges rural communities face as they adapt to climate change and strive to strengthen food security.
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