State House, Banjul 29th November 2022: In the President’s ongoing Meet The People Tour, he received hybrid seeds in a handing over ceremony, which is part of the Agriculture Cooperation between The Peoples Republic of China and The Gambia, at the Sapu Agriculture station in Pacharr, CRR. The Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, H. E Jin Lin, also graced the ceremony.

The President, accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture and other Cabinet Ministers, was taken on a tour of the farm and the newly installed combined rice mill, which can mill over 30 bags per hour.There was an exhibit of various machines at the site to promote the mechanisation of rice production and food security.

The project has donated 12 tons of rice, 9.2 tons of purified inbreed rice seeds and 6 tons of rice to the Ministry of Agriculture. Over 1000 local farmers, agricultural technicians, and college students benefited from the technical training under the cooperation.

Also, at Pacharr, the Proprietor of Marou Farms, Musa Darboe, briefed the President on his rice production project in the area and the partnership with the surrounding communities. There was also an exhibition of local savoury and sweet foods made from rice to add value to local products.

At a separate ceremony, President Barrow laid the foundation of the University of Science, Engineering and Technology Agribusiness Training Centre in Kerewan Mandinka, Lower Fulladu West. The centre, a part of the government’s integrated approach to creating employers, and mitigating rural-urban and irregular migration, is one of the several currently being built across the country.

Following the foundation laying, President Barrow said capacity building is critical in developing any country, especially the youth. ‘’We have to train our youth to be skilful,’’ he added, calling on the community members to encourage their children to enrol when the centre is completed for them to become trained and skilful employers. He commended the MRC Holland foundation for the support of his government’s education initiative.

President Barrow continued his tour with meetings held in Jareng and Bansang, highlighting his government’s initiatives in supporting agriculture to make farming a viable venture, especially for the youth. He stated that the country is blessed with vast fertile lands and that agriculture is the solution to feeding ourselves.