Gambia's population 2012 ~1.7million
Total cropland area: ~300,000 ha about 150,000 ha for food crops
Divide cropland area among each Gambian (Per capita cropland area) - 0.17 ha or 42 meters by 42 meters
Crop yield under rain-fed conditions 800kg per ha. This translates to 136 kg of food per person even if we grow only food crops ( i.e no groundnuts or cotton anywhere)
Post-harvest loss estimated between 10 and 40% . Assuming the 20% loss, at best each Gambian will take home 108kg of millet/rice per year. 2 "senkant" bags

With the above numbers, can Gambians attain food independence? Is the Kanilai Family Farm (KFF) the model to emulate?

Given that the President's Farm / Kanilai Family Farm is such an anomaly in terms of access to resources, i.e land, labor and capital, its hard to imagine how the ordinary farmer can benefit from KFF model.

First according to published records the Kanilai Family Farms holdings include - In Kanilai area - 197ha, Sifoe 423ha, Farato 37ha, Jurunku more than 20 ha - total 658ha plus 20 to 30 small farms across the country

During 2012 growing season alone we were told that -
Global International Football Training Services GIFTS donated 200 pairs of rainboots
300 youths from the Dynamic Sarahulleh Association helped clear the farm in July,
2000 youths countrywide participated in weeding the President Jammeh’s Kanilai Farms September 2012.
100 volunteers from the State House Mosque at the President's Yundum Farm
Help by civil servants and others

In addition to free labor, how many of the President's farm use tractors? How many of these are fueled and serviced by voluntary contributions? How many of these volunteers pay for their transportation to Kanilai, pay for their own food while in Kanilai? We know that some of the problems faced by farmers are inadequate inputs (water, fertilizer, machinery, labor), how much of the President's farm is rainfed and how much is irrigated. If irrigated how much does it cost per unit product?

As for on-farm loss, we know that the Kanilai Family Farm is able to build 2 meter cement / steel fence around most of their farms with 24/7 protection from security.

In short how can this model be replicated across the country? From what I know, most farmers are aware of the high costs involved and certainly understand that the KFF model is beyond their means. As such why do we think that just talking about food independence, without addressing the basics of lack of resources would ever make a difference.

Malanding Jaiteh

courtesy http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/towards-food-independence-1

Towards food independence

Africa » Gambia

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Editorial

Over the past weeks, we have seen people from all walks of life, professional men and women of all ages, going to Kanilai Farms in order to participate in farm work. The common determination they've shown constitutes a clear indication that Gambians are not only ready to tackle the global food crisis that has hit most of the underdeveloped countries, but also to contribute to the country's food independence.

What we need now is to translate the individuals' implicit understanding into a positive synergy capable of propelling The Gambia towards becoming a food self-sufficient nation.

As the back-to-the-land-call has become stronger and more widely accepted, there is an enormous opportunity to change the status of the country from food importer to food exporter. It is a great challenge for Gambians to follow the footsteps of President Jammeh, who has demonstrated that the way forward is to ensure the country's food independence.

The Gambian leader's attitude is worthy of emulation by Gambians, as no country can retain genuine independence if it cannot protect its citizens from hunger.It is therefore high time to move towards food independence for Gambians and Gambian households. What is taking place at theKanilai Farms

projects optimistic perspectives for our beloved country. Consequently, we should adopt such an agricultural model so as to start recasting the food crisis. Gambians have made their choice; their daily survival can no longer depend on the vagaries of volatile international markets.

Author: Daily Observer

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