By Alhgie Babou Jallow
Agro-ecology officials recently concluded a five-day nationwide caravan to sensitise farmers on the importance of agro-ecology.
Shortly before their departure, Alpha Sey, the Project Manager for Green Economy explained to Gambia Daily the rationale behind the caravan. He described agro-ecology as an initiative that facilitates and contributes to the transformation of food and agricultural systems that are environmentally sustainable, economically fair, viable and socially equitable, and to promote shared learning on the adoption and practice of agro ecology farming, with particular emphasis on the use of organic manure and its relevance.
It is an approach to agriculture that reconciles environmental sustainability and production goals by emphasising the application of ecology concepts and principles to the design and management system,†he added.
Mr Sey further noted that they want to share information, develop integrated plan and coordinate mechanism for agro-ecology activities, which are to be aligned with other policy and strategy programmes to support the overall national development agenda and by extension, to share the roles of farmers, and farmers organisations in the delivery of the initiatives at both national and regional levels.
Musa F. Sowe, National Coordinating Organisation for Farmers’ Association, said agro ecology promotes sustainable and viable food systems by applying ecological concepts and principles to optimise actions between plants, animals, humans, and the
environment, while taking into consideration social aspects.
Aladji Diack, the Country Coordinator for Action Against Hunger (AAH)
Green Economy Project through Joint Action, described the caravan as important in attaining the project goal.He emphasised the need for agro-ecology practitioners to be vigilant and share best practices to accelerate the food production system.
Haddy Joof, President of Value Chain Actors Platform in the North Bank Region (NBR) said the active involvement and participation of women
and youths demonstrated their resolve to food production and marketing.
