Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mr. Gaye TheVoice
Published on 2024-03-12 05:45:58
The Gambia’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Demba Sabally, recently commended the African Development Bank (ADB) for its significant contribution to the country’s journey towards food self-sufficiency. This praise comes in light of the ADB’s approval of an additional $12M in financing from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program to support various agricultural initiatives in The Gambia.
The main objective of this additional financing is to enhance food and nutritional security while increasing household income, especially for vulnerable households in five administrative regions – Central River Region, Lower River Region, Upper River Region, North Bank Region, and West Coast Region. ADB’s Philip Boahen emphasized that this funding will specifically focus on strengthening the Sustainable Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in these regions.
Dr. Sabally expressed his satisfaction and gratitude for the additional ADB financing, highlighting the importance of the AfDB-GAFSP Project Portfolio Review 2024. He stressed that both the African Development Bank and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program have been consistent partners in transforming the agriculture sector to alleviate poverty and ensure food and nutrition security in The Gambia.
One of the key aspects of the project is its collaboration with the World Food Program to support home-grown school feeding programs. Dr. Sabally noted that beyond addressing nutritional deficiencies in school children, these initiatives also contribute to reducing school dropouts and improving educational outcomes in terms of enrollment, retention, and academic performance.
In his remarks, Dr. Sabally expressed his appreciation to ADB and GAFSP for their continued support and pledged to ensure the effective and transparent utilization of the funds allocated for these programs.
The Minister’s acknowledgment of ADB’s role in The Gambia’s agricultural development reflects the government’s commitment to leveraging partnerships with international organizations to achieve food security and economic stability. The additional financing from ADB will undoubtedly reinforce ongoing efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, enhance food value chains, and empower local communities to become self-sufficient in food production.
Through collaborative initiatives like the Sustainable Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, The Gambia aims to address not only immediate food security challenges but also long-term issues related to poverty alleviation and economic development. By investing in agriculture and nutrition programs, the country is laying the foundation for a healthier and more prosperous future for its citizens.
As The Gambia continues to work towards achieving food self-sufficiency, partnerships with institutions like the African Development Bank play a crucial role in providing the necessary financial support and technical expertise to drive sustainable agricultural practices and improve livelihoods across the country. Dr. Sabally’s appreciation for ADB’s contributions underscores the positive impact that such collaborations can have on national development goals and the well-being of the population.
Read the original article on The Voice Gambia
