Following a day-long consultation exercise, stakeholders in the Horticulture sector, on Wednesday 12th November, 2020 Reviewed and Validated the commercial vegetable marketing in the Gambia road map.
Organized by ENABEL, the Belgian Agency, which has a branch in the Gambia, this day-long exercise has been applauded by stakeholders in the horticulture sector.
Ousman Bojang, the Director of Trade at the ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, The aim is to create an avenue for sharing of ideas amongst stakeholders, and most importantly review and validate the recently developed Road Map for the promotion of Commercial Vegetable Marketing in the Gambia. Thus, giving Farmers direct benefits from farm proceeds.
Burang Danjo, Project manager with the West Africa Rural Foundation underscored the importance of having such a progressive policy document that they say will financially empower horticulture farmers.
For his part, Jimbi Ceesay, President of The Gambia National Vegetable Growers Association expressed optimism, while calling on government and the private sector to provide more support for horticulture farmers, especially women gardeners.
Muhammed Kebbeh, Executive Director of the West Africa Rural Institute, said this is an important day for us. We appreciate that we are being asked what our problems are and how we think they can be addressed. It means we are being considered and we feel honored to take part in such an important process”.
This day-long exercise was facilitated by James Dean, Intervention Manager of the Rural Infrastructure Employment Project. Horticulture has always been an important direct source of rural income, employment and food. And despite holding higher economic prospects, farmers in the sector say there are limited opportunities. However, it is hoped that, the validation of this important Road Map will provide the required policy guidelines that will boost the sector.
BY: Ansumana S.O Nyassi
Organized by ENABEL, the Belgian Agency, which has a branch in the Gambia, this day-long exercise has been applauded by stakeholders in the horticulture sector.
Ousman Bojang, the Director of Trade at the ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, The aim is to create an avenue for sharing of ideas amongst stakeholders, and most importantly review and validate the recently developed Road Map for the promotion of Commercial Vegetable Marketing in the Gambia. Thus, giving Farmers direct benefits from farm proceeds.
Burang Danjo, Project manager with the West Africa Rural Foundation underscored the importance of having such a progressive policy document that they say will financially empower horticulture farmers.
For his part, Jimbi Ceesay, President of The Gambia National Vegetable Growers Association expressed optimism, while calling on government and the private sector to provide more support for horticulture farmers, especially women gardeners.
Muhammed Kebbeh, Executive Director of the West Africa Rural Institute, said this is an important day for us. We appreciate that we are being asked what our problems are and how we think they can be addressed. It means we are being considered and we feel honored to take part in such an important process”.
This day-long exercise was facilitated by James Dean, Intervention Manager of the Rural Infrastructure Employment Project. Horticulture has always been an important direct source of rural income, employment and food. And despite holding higher economic prospects, farmers in the sector say there are limited opportunities. However, it is hoped that, the validation of this important Road Map will provide the required policy guidelines that will boost the sector.
BY: Ansumana S.O Nyassi