By Haruna Kuyateh
Farmers in the North Bank Region have praised the government and Youna Microfinance Services for providing tractor support aimed at improving agricultural productivity during the 2026 farming season.
The initiative, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Livestock in partnership with Youna Microfinance Services, follows the launch of 180 tractors by President Adama Barrow to enhance access to mechanised farming services for farmers.
During a media engagement on Tuesday to assess the impact of the programme, beneficiaries said the availability of tractors has improved timely land preparation and encouraged farmers to expand cultivated areas.
Alhaji Modou Touray, a champion farmer from Maka Farafenni, described the intervention as a significant boost to farming activities, saying it has made ploughing services more accessible for both upland and lowland farmers.
He said the increased availability of tractors would help farmers prepare their fields on time and improve production.
Another beneficiary, Modou Jadama of Badibou Noo Kunda, described the initiative as a positive development that would strengthen farmers’ capacity to increase output and access affordable ploughing services.
He said beneficiaries are now better positioned to secure contracts from agricultural projects, non-governmental organisations and government institutions for ploughing and related services.
According to Jadama, such opportunities would enable beneficiaries to meet their financial obligations under the concessional financing arrangement with Youna Microfinance Services, while supporting the sustainability of the programme.
Farmers said the initiative would contribute to expanding agricultural mechanisation in the country, increase the number of available tractors and support government efforts to improve food production
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