The Ministry of Agriculture has recently received the first stock of two thousand (2000) metric tons of compound fertiliser NPK 6:20:10.
Speaking to journalists at the jetty in Banjul, the Minister of Agriculture Hon. Amie Fabureh expressed happiness about the timely availability of fertilizer in the country as promised by the Government. She applauded the management of National Food Security Processing and Marketing Cooperation and the contracting committee for their hard work and dedication in ensuring that they met the deadline. “I want to assure our famers that whatever they request from the Ministry of Agriculture we will do everything possible to ensure that is available in time” she remarked.
Responding to questions from journalists, the Minister pointed out that eleven thousand metric tons of different fertilisers of compound fertilizer (15:15:15:4, 6:20:10) and urea nitrogen fertilizer (46%) should cover the whole of the farming community in the country. However, she cautions that due diligence has to be done to ensure that the fertiliser is not sold outside the country because that was the reason why it was not enough for the farmers last year.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Momodou Mbye Jabang, said the provision of the fertilisers would give confidence to the farming community. He said the Hon. Minister has given assurance that she and her team will ensure that fertilisers and other farming inputs are given to farmers on time. “Our government and ministry told farmers in April, and April is here the fertilisers are here,” PS Jabang said.
The Managing Director of the National Food Security Processing and Marketing Cooperation, Muhammed Njie, noted that his institution was tasked with the responsibility to procure and deliver eleven thousand (11,000.00) metric tons of fertilisers to the farming community before the commencement of the rain season. He informed that aside the delivery of the first consignment, before the end of May all the fertilisers ordered are expected to be in the country.
