The Regional Rice Value Chain Development Project (RRVCDP) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, has convened a two-day workshop for the development of a National Rice Seed Roadmap and Rice Variety Promotion Plan for The Gambia.
Held at Bakadaji Hotel, the objectives of the workshop are to review the current status and constraints of the rice seed system in The Gambia, define strategic priorities and actions for the development of a national seed roadmap, develop a variety promotion plan, including communication strategies and stakeholder roles and identify capacity building and policy support needs to implement the seed roadmap effectively.
Delivering his opening remarks, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, Dr. Demba Sabally acknowledged the importance of rice as the most important food crop grown in The Gambia. He stated that despite the importance of rice, domestic production continues to fall short in sufficing national demand.
Minister Sabally revealed that one of the critical barriers to enhancing domestic production of rice in the country is the limited availability and adoption of quality-certified rice seeds. He indicated that the national rice seed systems remain underdeveloped with critical gaps in seed production, distribution mechanisms, quality control, and private sector participation.
Therefore, he noted that strengthening this system will unlock productivity potential, enhance varietal adoption, and improve the food security situation of the country. He outlined that the Reverse Linkage Programme of the IsDB-funded Regional Rice Value Chain Development Programme seeks to address these seed-related challenges by formulating a rice seed road map and varietal promotion plan.
The Hon. Minister thanked the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and BADEA for supporting this great initiative in The Gambia.
Representing the Director of AfricaRice, Dr. Saidou Bah, commended the Government of The Gambia for the unwavering commitment to developing rice production and productivity as an important staple crop of The Gambia.
Dr. Bah noted that despite its importance, enhanced rice production and productivity remain a major challenge in The Gambia. He said the roadmap will outline the demand and supply of breeder and foundation-certified rice seed in the country.
The Project Director of the Regional Rice Value Chain Development Project (RRVCDP), Mr. Fafanding Fatajo, outlined major developments undertaken by RRVCDP in the rice sector. They include: purchase of ten (10) tractors for smallholder farmers and private sector farmers, distribution of 500 metric tons of fertilizer to smallholder farmers and private sector farmers, distribution of 5 metric tons of herbicides to farmers, distribution of 200 metric tons of certified seed, construction of 6 stores and 11 drying floors and 112 hectares of land in Central River Region – South delivered to a contractor for development.
Source: MoALFS
