August 12, 2021 Banjul – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today provided horticultural inputs and equipment to women farmers through Bactelette, Cern Sergin and Bacao Old Cape Point via the Horticulture Technical Services (HTS) Unit. Agriculture.
Fao bought more than half a million dollars worth of goods through her Technical Cooperation Program Is entitled “Support for Urban / Perry: Urban Women’s Sustainable Development and Marketing. ”
The intervention will implement Gambia’s International Fruit and Vegetable Year, 2021, Action Decade 2021-2030 and Agenda 2030.
Dr. Mustafa Seisay, Assistant Director of Programs, Head of Programs, presented the items on behalf of the FAO through the Department of Agriculture. At a brief handover ceremony at the HTS headquarters in Baku, Cecis explained its purpose. GMD24.7 million The project aims to empower women and make them sustainable producers in fish and vegetable value chains, contributing to improving their livelihoods and nutrition.
The project targets women farmers in urban and peri-urban areas and provides support to the Gambian government as part of FAO support to achieve its national development goals and support the national response to the HIV-19 epidemic. He said the aim is to alleviate the challenges facing horticulture and productivity in Gambia. According to the National Development Plan 2018 – 2021 and the FAO Gambia Grammar Framework 2018 – 2021, horticulture is a top priority for both the Gambian government and the FAO. Sector.
In his remarks, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Serang Jobarteh, thanked him for what he described as a “huge gesture”. They recommend that consumers use their products to improve their living standards and income. is there, “FAO has been providing invaluable services to Gambia for more than four decades and remains our cultural and most trusted partner in the agricultural sector.
Ramata Gigo, Director of Horticultural Technical Services, DOO, and Director of Urban Agriculture, Ramatuli Hyde Sanyang, urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the donation to increase their production and productivity. To promote improved food and nutrition security and economic development, they recommend developing joint nurseries and adjusting good agronomical practices. On behalf of the users, Bakoteh Ms. Mama Jamba expressed her gratitude.
Background
The production of horticultural crops has been identified as a way to improve the country’s food and nutritional security and to break the Gambia’s economic base by increasing dependence on the country’s producers. The sub-sector currently contributes about 4% of GDP and accounts for about 65% of agricultural labor. While the Horticultural Value Chain has great potential and optimism, it faces challenges related to input and service supply, production, post-production losses, processing and marketing.
Similarly, Gambia continues to import large quantities of fruits and vegetables compared to neighboring countries. Increasing revenue, increasing export revenue and contributing to socio-economic development is a major challenge on how to transform the sub-sector into a market-oriented approach.
In addition, the Gambia National Development Plan (2018-2021) identifies horticulture as a major sub-sector for the introduction of fruit and vegetable import substitutes. Much needs to be done to improve productivity and accelerate agricultural industries and value added