Farmers Poised to Revitalise Cotton Production

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Bekai Njie

27 May 2011

The Cotton Growers Association Thursday held discussions with top officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, a move meant to device ways and strategies to reinforce cotton production in the country.

The delegation, which was headed by the secretary general of the Association, also included the president of the African Cotton Association and its secretary general. Also prominent on the agenda of the meeting was how cotton growers can get assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture in terms of seeds and fertilizers, among others.

Speaking during the meeting, the secretary general of the Cotton Growers Association, Omar S Ceesay, who is also the chairman of Basse Area Council, explained that their mission to the Ministry was to discuss the possibilities of how to revitalise the sector, as well as to intensify cotton production in The Gambia. While reiterating that his association deemed it prudent to solicit assistance from the government that would help step up efforts for an intense cultivation of cotton, Ceesay hinted that cotton growers in both the Central River and Upper River Regions are willing to grow more cotton in the coming years.

The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Baboucarr Njie, for his part, expressed support for the initiative, while assuring the cotton growers of his Ministry’s support to their cause. PS Njie assured the growers that his ministry would look into the issues raised by the association and make recommendations with a view to charting a way forward. he Agriculture permanent secretary recalled the attractive nature of cotton production in those days, while commenting on the possibility of intensifying its production in the country.

Sheriffo Bojang, deputy permanent secretary also welcomed the initiative, but was quick to note that cotton production is not an easy venture taking into account the fact that it entails enormous projects that needed to be looked into. He also assured that the Ministry would look into the issues raised and possibly come up with concrete mechanisms for better implementation.

For his part, Moussa Sabally, the president of the African Cotton Growers Association, disclosed that The Gambia alongside Guinea Bissau and Guinea Conakry are countries required to revitalise cotton production. He then explained that it is important for them to come to The Gambia to share experiences in cotton production with their Gambian counterparts with a view to seek a way out.

Meanwhile, the association will today continue their meeting with the officials of the Ministry during which they are expected to present a strategic action plan for the association.

AllAfrica – All the Time