By Lamin Kujabi
President Adama Barrow on Friday, September 22nd inaugurated the Accessible Smart Farming (ASF) Project at the Memorial Arch in Banjul. The ASF project is a joint venture between Gambia Government, through the National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Corporation of The Gambia (NFSPMC) and TIJMS Trading International Agricultural Transformation Company from the Netherlands. The idea is to make farm tools and machinery readily accessible in the country by setting up an assembling centre, where parts will be assembled and maintained for use in the country and for export to the sub-region. It also entails introducing smart techniques to promote horticultural production.
TIJMS deals in assembling, repair and maintenance of farm machines and equipment like tractor, planter, harvesters and solar and other garden equipment.
In his address, President Barrow said the inauguration of this project attests to his government’s recent policy shifts, brought about by global circumstances. “Now, in the interest of the people, our focus is on bold solutions, using digital technologies in the agriculture sector,” he asserted, noting that their partnerships ought to be mutually beneficial and aligned with the realities of the people.
“My belief is that the success of this project will surely lead to a decrease in youth unemployment. It is a bold step towards food self-sufficiency and will contribute to increased GDP and foreign exchange earnings,” the President posited.
Speaking on behalf of the Agric Minister, Mod Secka, Permanent Secretary, described the initiative as a strategic solution to improve agriculture farming activities in the country. “This will bring mutual benefit to all Gambians and partners by providing right investment in agriculture”. He thanked TIJMS for choosing The Gambia.
Muhammed Njie, Executive Director of NFSPMC expressed their commitment to making agriculture more attractive to people and to complement government’s development plan. He also noted their willingness to cooperate with anyone with the right ideas, and innovative technologies that can improve agriculture production in The Gambia.
Mr. Michael, TIJMS affirmed that the initiative is to improve mechanized farming, improve food production in The Gambia using right applicable technologies and techniques. “It will also fight against rural-urban migration by making agriculture more profitable and attractive”.
Mr. Johan, Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to The Gambia indicated that his country is the second largest producer and exporter of agriculture products in the world. He expressed belief that this project will make huge impact in the lives of Gambians, and thanked the President and his government for supporting it.
Alhagie Ceesay, farmers representative; and Ramatoulie Jammeh, women’s representative both expressed delight at the development.
