By Sainabou Sambou
Mr Sambujang Darboe is a migrant returnee who is now venturing into agriculture. He grows rice, maize and cassava, and manages poultry as well. In this interview, Darboe shared his journey into agriculture and his inspiration to explore the realm of agribusiness upon his return. He explained that the idea and inspiration to venturing into the field came after his unsuccessful ‘backway’ journey.
He noted that agriculture is the backbone of The Gambia’s economy and that almost everything in The Gambia is imported, which makes it difficult for the country to develop or to be fully independent. This motivated me to venture into agriculture,” Darboe further explained. He however revealed that he has been doing farming for the past years but this year he decided to venture into rice, maize, and cassava cultivation and to grow vegetables as well.
He revealed that the land that he uses for framing is owned by his in-laws at Foni, where he hired more than ten women while some men help him with farming. He said while his family supported with the inputs, the Ministry of Agriculture under the GIRAV project, and P2RS gave him some valuable inputs including fertilizer. “This farming will reduce the cost of living for me and the rice that I cultivate will help me a lot as I will not spend much money on buying rice. The rice I am producing is at subsistence level for now,” he said.
Highlighting some of his challenges, the young farmer mentioned lack of farming equipment and enough fertilizer. He disclosed that he is planning to do commercial farming in Kiang next farming season on his family land. The migrant returnee seeks support from the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and NGOs to help him with farming equipment and more fertilizer before the next farming season so that his dream of venturing into commercial farming can become true.
He concluded by calling on young people to venture into agriculture, saying farming is very important for the development of a nation.
