By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Tuesday, 31st March, handed over hundreds of farm equipment units to Honourable Dr. Demba Sabally, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, and Alhagie Ceesay, President of the Gambia Farmers Union, for onward distribution to farmers across the country. The equipment includes power tillers, harvesters, threshers, milling machines, tricycles for transporting produce to markets, and other farming machinery with their spare parts.
The handing over ceremony took place in Brikamaba, Lower Fulladu, Central River Region. The equipment was purchased through the Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain (GIRAV) project, funded by the World Bank and the Government of The Gambia. Farmers who attended the ceremony expressed great satisfaction and appreciation for the government’s support.
The distribution of this equipment aims to promote the development of inclusive, resilient, and competitive agricultural value chains, focusing on smallholder farmers and agribusinesses, and to improve rice production and productivity.
President Barrow thanked the World Bank for its support in purchasing the equipment and commended the Ministry of Agriculture and its staff for ensuring the machines are available to support farmers. He emphasized that, in the past, farming relied heavily on manual labor, but mechanization allows work that previously took a month by hand to be done in a single day. He added that the government is focusing on agricultural mechanization to increase efficiency, speed, and convenience in farming operations.
Ousman Bah, Governor of the Central River Region, also thanked the President for supporting farmers by providing these tools. He noted that the GIRAV project has established 17 demonstration gardens in the region, and urged recipients to take good care of the machines.
Mamur Nyang, Project Coordinator of the Central Project Coordination Unit (CPCU), stated that the project takes its vision and direction from the President and is making significant progress. He highlighted that agricultural mechanization allows farmers to cultivate larger areas, creates youth employment, and reduces labor intensity. He also reminded beneficiaries that proper maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity of the machines.
Honourable Gibi Mballow, National Assembly Member for Lower Fulladu, expressed gratitude to the President and his government for supporting farmers with these essential tools.
Alhagie Ceesay, President of the Gambia Farmers Union, remarked that he had never seen such a variety of farm equipment in the country under previous administrations. He noted that improved roads connecting homes and rice fields have encouraged greater participation in farming and that the new equipment will be distributed nationwide.
Mr. Aruna, President of the Gambia Farmers Association, urged farmers to handle and maintain the equipment properly, emphasizing that the government has invested significantly in these tools to support agricultural production.
Isatou Ceesay, representing women farmers, highlighted the large-scale rice production in Jahaly and stated that the introduction of these machines will further boost production. She commended the GIRAV and other government initiatives for supporting women in agriculture and encouraged the President to continue his efforts.
Momodou Lamin Baldeh, Chief of Lower Fulladu, thanked the President, the Minister, and the government for the historic investment. He advised farmers to handle the equipment responsibly, noting that such machinery has never been seen in the region since the first and second republics. He described the event as a historic moment for Brikamaba and The Gambia, bringing happiness and new opportunities for local farmers.
