By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Barrow has been on a tour of industries and businesses – mainly agri-businesses in the country for the last two weeks.
The agric industries visited include the 42-hectare Tambedou Kunda, owned one Kisima Tambedou, producing orange for supply into the local market; and Radville farm, which produces vegetables and fruits for supply into the local market and export to mainly European markets. Both are situated in Tubakuta village. Other companies visited were Bell Bottling Industries in Bonto village, Kombo East, which produce juice; MAKfood farm in Kafuta village produces onion and irish potato for local market and export; Bakaf farm in Mayork village, owned one by Pa Ceesay, a Gambian. The entity produces onion. The Indian –owned Emkay Agro farm in Bondali village is the largest producer of onion in The Gambia and supplies both local and international markets.
Sharing his impression during the visits, President Adama Barrow expressed his appreciation of the farm owners for partnering with the government and assured of collectively addressing the challenges.
Kisima Tambedou of Tambedou Kunda farm called on Gambians to engage in farming in order to feed ourselves.
Jrgnesh Pavji, Emkay Agro and Export farm manager, revealed that they produce 6,000 metric tons of onion, and that 4200 metric tons is already there for sale. “We also have sale for Tobaski and we are expecting to harvest 3000 metric tons. This is only for domestic market. We sell a bag for D425 in the farm.
Earlier engagements
On Tuesday, 14th May, President Barrow and entourage visited SRN Steel Company Limited in Kitty village; G. Farm in Sambuya village owned by young Gambian poultry farmer; as well as women’s federation market in Sukuta village; Malick Medy Tailoring Centre on Bertil Harding Highway; Ida Ideas shop in Bakau, SA Sombilly Enterprise, Kanifing, SMG Dry Port in Banjul, Nessim Trading bond road in Banjul, and Gambia Flour Milling Corporation in Banjul.
Speaking on these occasions President Adama Barrow acknowledged that the idea of the visits came from the Trade minister Bubacar Joof and that this was the first time he embarked on such a mission since becoming president. He noted that industrialization is a central pillar of the National Development Plan. “Industrialization is the way forward and as the President I think it is important for me to go round visit industrial sites to see what they are doing and ask of their challenges. Government needs to partner because they are complementing government’s efforts, in creating jobs and growing the economy”.
The President went on: “I have always reiterated that if you are consumer, import everything that you consume in your country, otherwise you become a liability. If you want to compete you have to produce. This is what we are now doing”.
The SRN STEEL COMPANY uses scrap metals as raw materials from The Gambia, and processes them in different sizes of iron rod for construction.
The poultry farm in Sambuya village produces about 100,000 eggs a day and everything is automated. They also pro-duce feed.
On a visit to the newly built Sukuta women’s market, the President realized there are challenges but promised to dis-cuss with Finance to address the situation.
The Malick Mendy Tailoring centre produces readymade clothes of international standard and trains young people free of charge while paying them D3000 per month.
The flour milling company in Banjul produces 50% of flour needed for the country. The President encouraged them to produce more for export.
