By: Haruna Kuyateh
ActionAid International The Gambia Wednesday disbursed D230,000 to eight beneficiaries in Upper Nuimi District to strengthen smallholder farming and improve livelihoods.
The cash donation was made through the Albreda, Juffureh and Kerr Cherno Ecozones Committees.
The funds, presented on Wednesday at the ActionAid Local Programme 9 Regional Office in Juffureh, would enable beneficiaries to acquire donkeys, seeders, shine hoes, seeds and fishing gear to boost agricultural and fishing activities.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Chief of Upper Nuimi, Momodou Chatty Cham, commended ActionAid International The Gambia and the Ecozones Committees for supporting smallholder farmers to increase production and improve food security.
He said the assistance would help farmers undertake timely land preparation, sowing and other farming activities, adding that the district authority would work with ActionAid and the Ecozones Committees to monitor the implementation of the project.
Chief Cham also urged young people to take advantage of the opportunities created through the initiative to complement government efforts to promote community development.
Yaya Ndure, President of Hakalang Senela Kafo, thanked ActionAid International The Gambia for empowering communities to achieve food self-sufficiency. He said the initiative was aimed at transforming agriculture and strengthening farmers’ capacity.
Albreda Ecozone Coordinator Bakary Nano Njie says the intervention forms part of the annual Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA) program designed to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve food security.
He encouraged farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance food and nutrition security and urged beneficiaries, particularly young people, to make productive use of the support to improve their livelihoods and discourage irregular migration.
Speaking on behalf of the Ecozones Committees, President Alpha Omar Bah says the committees have zero tolerance for the diversion of funds from their intended purpose. He adds that the support is expected to boost agricultural production and contribute to poverty reduction.
Some beneficiaries welcomed the initiative, saying it would improve their farming and fishing activities. Rohey Joof, an upland farmer from Prince, said the farm implements and draught animal package would help address delays in sowing and weeding. Fishermen Pateh Jallow of Jurunku and Abdou Gaye of Albreda thanked ActionAid International The Gambia for the support and pledged to invest the assistance in expanding their fishing activities.