24 June 2008
Gambian President Jammeh has launched a call for all Gambians to "go back to the land" in order for the country to attain food self-sufficiency.
Spain has announced that a borehole and storage facilities will soon be erected in Noo Kunda in the Illiasa Constituency, in the North Bank Region, to help farmers store crops so as to avoid a blockade in the market and therefore a decrease in prices.
As reported by the Daily Observer, the North Bank Region was also recently presented with a pumping machine to help the women of Alkali Kunda in Upper Baddibou increase horticultural activities.
The new machine was donated by Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the majority leader of the National Assembly and member for Serrekunda East.
The news comes only a few days after the Gambia received 100 tons of rice seed from the Taiwanese ambassador to the Gambia, Richard Shih, The Point reported.
Agriculture is Gambia's main industry, employing 75 per cent of the population, compared to 19 per cent for industry and six per cent for services.
However, although Gambia's total arable land accounts for 27.88 per cent of the total land area, only 0.44 per cent of the territory is currently cultivated.
