Rice fields development agreement for CRD signed
An agreement for the development of tidal rice field irrigation in Touba Kuta, Kuntaur Fulla Kunda and Jakaba in the Central River Division was signed Thursday January 24, between Actionaid The Gambia, the Agricultural Technical Mission of The Republic of China at Sapu Agricultural Research Station, and the Department of Agricultural Services of Kuntaur. The French Agency for Development (AFD), in conjunction with the Agricultural Technical Mission of the Republic of China are sponsoring the project, whose purpose is to ensure food security in one of Actionaid’s target areas codenamed DAZ, in the north bank of CRD. In the agreement, Actionaid pledged D1,200,000.00 for the development of 50 hectares of rice field under tidal irrigation in the area, and to transfer D1,200,000.00 to the accounts of the Agricultural Technical Mission (ATM) for easy access in order to ensure the timely implementation of the project.
It was also agreed that Actionaid would provide both technical and extension support as well as facilitate the formation of water management committees in the project villages. The NGO will also collaborate with the Department of Agricultural Services and ATM in training farmers on the improvement of rice production practices.
The Department of Agricultural Services (DAS) is also to collaborate with Actionaid and ATM in training farmers and providing technical support at field level, chair the Food Security Coordinating Committee, and act as the coordinator between AATG and ATM.Furthermore, the ATM is to provide the required engineering work design and supply, in conjunction with AATG the required equipment and machinery, purchase good quality materials for the project, and implement in conjunction with AATG the entire project, as well as provide competent skilled workers.
According to the agreement, the project, which is expected to begin soon, is scheduled to be completed before the end of June this year. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Country Director of Actionaid The Gambia, Mrs. Sylvia Wachuku King, the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia Dr. J.Y. Lin, ATM Team Leader Y. S. Chen and the Permanent Secretary of the Department of State for Agriculture.