The General Adviser to the Smart Farmers Association of The Gambia, Mr. Abdoulie Camara, has advised Gambians to be using bicycles more often than cars, considering the climatic effects this could have on third-world countries like The Gambia.
His exhortation came as climate change rages across the globe, including the Gambia, a country so prone to climate change calamities, according to climate scientists.
In a WhatsApp interview with Mansa Banko Online newspaper over the weekend, from his base in the United Kingdom, Camara said “Smart Farmers Association” was formed in the Gambia by a group of Gambians both within and in the diaspora (including Camara himself), so as to introduce smart farming techniques to local farmers across the Gambia, for better agricultural activities.
The Association, according to him, comes with new ways of farming and is here to empower farmers whether big or small farming adventures. Camara told this medium, the changes they (Smart Farmers) want now “is to motivate Gambians” to go back to farming so that they would be growing crops all year round.
Informing that members of the association are Gambians, Camara added they have formed Six Regional Forums in Upper River Region (URR), North Bank Region (NBR), Lower River Region (LRR), Central River Region (CRR), West Coast Region (WCR), and Greater Banjul Area (GBA). They are sharing their aims and objectives with Gambian farmers in all these areas of their smart farming project, said the UK-based Advisor of the group.
He spoke of their intent to educate Gambians on smart ways of farming, to help them with good markets; value their goods and services; and to help them with storage facilities to protect their produce.
Camara said his role is to advice the executive members on the possible directions they should take in order to win the minds of the people so that they (farmers) could join them in their crusade, and how to form subcommittees that would execute some of their activities in the Gambia.
But he made it clear that, their platform doesn’t entertain anything tribal or topics outside their areas of interest. His words: “We don’t allow tribalism and politics in our forum as Smart Farmers Association. It is for farming purposes only, [and] nothing else.”
Camara revealed they are seeking support (funds) from the Gambia government and NGOs, reasoning because they are in need of many farming machineries like tractors, food processors and harvesters. They are also interested in erecting food storage facilities all over the country, and providing vehicles to remedy the daily transportation hurdles for Gambian farmers, he pointed out.
At that juncture, Camara used this interview to advice Gambians to be “using bicycles more often than cars”, saying it is really concerning. He also posited that people need to plant more trees everywhere in the country, in order for the country to “go absolutely green” which contributes to the health and well-being of people.
The chief advisor went on to reassure that, their Association is here for all Gambians, and that they are therefore calling on all Gambian farmers and non-farmers to join them. He disclosed there would be registration fees for membership cards so that they could enjoy some privileges such as discount on some products.
The Association’s Executive comprised: Ms. Majula Jaiteh-Chairwoman, Messrs. Abdoulie Camara as Vice Chairman & General Adviser, Alpha Baldeh-President, Alieu Jarju-Vice President, and Alhagie Dukureh as the Public Relations Officer (PRO).
