In a statement on the occasion of the Signing Ceremony for the Technical Co-operation Programme (TCP), the FAO Representative in The Gambia, Moshibudi Rampedi, detailed the Programme, which is dubbed ‘Mapping of the Human Resources Capacity Gap and Strengthening Capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture’. Below is the full statement:
"We enter 2020 with uncertainty and insecurity; inequality persist. Climate change is clear and a present danger. We cannot afford to be the generation that did not address hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations; we are launching a Decade of Action. To end hunger, we welcome the political will to act, implementing the Maputo Declaration for Africa and promoting campaigns such as the Zero Hunger Challenge; recognizing that guaranteeing food security is not charity, but the indispensable means for realizing the right to food and nutrition security FAO is committed to, and will continue supporting Member States by providing data and information, analysis and knowledge based on its technical expertise and long experience. I thus re-confirm the FAO’s commitment to working with the government of The Gambia, the Ministry of Agriculture and partners in shaping the future and lasting impact.
We will support The Gambia by providing technical expertise on Food and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to inform decisions and policy making to achieve the National Development Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals. In line with the above, and at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO is providing 480,000 United States dollars (approximately 24,000,000 million dalasi) of Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) Funds under the project titled: ‘Mapping of the Human Resources Capacity Gap and Strengthening Capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture.’
The project will provide the following support to the Ministry: 1. Strengthening institutional and human capacities for enhanced production and availability of timely data for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of ANR subsector programmes that support attainment of the National Development Plan (NDP) targets/ (pillar 3 related activities); and 2. Developing a functional ICT System for provision of Agricultural Statistical Data and Information for all stakeholders. This two year TCP will strengthen the capacities in the Planning Service Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, paving the way to access resources from Government and funds in trust with Development Agencies. The project will, by its achievements lay a foundation for enhanced systems, development of skills and knowledge in various specialized disciplines as well as Agreements with other Departments in the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Sector.
I thank you."
