President Barrow promotes food self-sufficiency; eat what you grow, grow what you eat

The President of the Republic, His Excellency Adama Barrow, on Thursday visited a rice field project at Sotuma Village in Jimara District.  As part of his Constitutional mandates, he is going across the country to dialogue with farmers to know their difficulties as well as discuss his government’s policies and programs in developing the agricultural sector.

As a Native of Jimara District, President Barrow expressed delight for having such a life changing project within the region, adding that the initiative is in line with his government’s development plans in attaining food self-sufficiency and mitigate the high rate of food importation as over 87 per cent of rice consumed in the Gambia is imported.

The president’s convoy went to Basse for a meeting where thousands of people and cultural troops descended on the highway to give President Barrow a rousing welcome.

The meeting commenced with presentation of community ambulances to local communities by the Director of Health Promotion, Modou NJai. He seized the opportunity to stress the need for the people to embrace the COVID-19 Vaccination drive.

Owing to rainfall, President Barrow summarised his speech. However, Barrow reiterated on the need for peace and stability in the country amidst the fast-approaching December Polls. Whist hailing The NPP and APRC alliance, he revealed that his next government will comprise experts from the past two regimes. The President acknowledged his appreciation for the reception accorded to him.