By Lamin Kujabi
Kim Ji- Joon, Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea on Friday, June 24th paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Adama Barrow at State House. He was accompanied by Dr Demba Sabally, Minister of Agriculture; Muhammed Jah, CEO of Qgroup and Honorary Consul General of The Republic of Korea to The Gambia.
In an interview with journalists, the ambassador explained that after presenting his letter of credence to the President in May, he had promised that his government will come up with a plan to improve rice production in The Gambia “and I am here today to fulfill that promise to the President’’.
Ambassador Ji-Joon further explained that he, the President and Minister of Agriculture had discussed the type of rice variety the Korea government wants to introduce in The Gambia.
“The rice variety grows well in the salt area of land. We can improve rice production by doubling its production [and therefore] solve The Gambia’s rice problem,’’ he said.
Dr Demba Sabally, Minister of Agriculture informed that they came with 1000 kilograms of Korean rice and the variety of rice was tested in Senegal and Guinea and has a yield of seven tons per hectare. He added that highest hectare in The Gambia is currently four tons.
Minister Sabally further informed that once the rice is introduced in our ecosystem, it will almost double our production rate.
“The good thing about this variety of rice is that it is salt-tolerant. We can cultivate this rice even in West Coast Region, Lower River Region and North Bank Region, where we have salty water.
This will expand the productivity from four to seven tons per hectare. It will also expand the land availability for use and rice production will not only take place in Central River Region and Upper River Region,’’ he explained.
Muhammed Jah, CEO of Qgroup and Honorary Consulate of Korea informed that they have discussed with the President for the government of the Republic of Korea to help open a skill centre in the country for young people.
