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 <http://observer.gm/africa/news> » Gambia
<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/news>
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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