By Alhagie Babou Jallow & Jainaba Kargbo
Mr Manga Ceesay, a veteran farmer in Jigimarr village, the Illiasa constituency has expressed optimism that farmers in his district will have a bumper harvest this year.
He said that expectations are high for high output within his farming communities, especially for crops like rice, maize, findi and groundnuts.
According to Ceesay, this year’s rainy season is very promising as there is enough rainfall in the area, and crops were planted at a very early stage. “Farming communities were able to get fertilizers on time”.
He added that those growing maize have now started consumption and selling of some part in the market to feed their families.
Groundnut is the most dominant crop in the area. According to Ceesay, the groundnuts are also promising and expectations are high for very good yield at the end of the season.
He however admitted that farmers were so worried at the beginning of the season as there was no enough rain. “Many lost hope and the issue of the fertilizer was also a very a big issue.
Modou Nyang, also a farmer, is expecting good yields on his farm, attributing this to timely cultivation and access to a subsidized fertilizer price.
Ousaman Drammeh recalled that last year’s harvest was also very poor, that most farmers in the region were not able to sustain themselves and their families because of the poor harvest.
According to him, they could not keep seeds for this year’s farming season as a result of last year’s poor harvest.
