By Sulayman Waan
“CA government will invest massively in agriculture, [and] bring expertise. We will make sure we commercialize agriculture and move away from subsistence agriculture,” Dr. Ismaila Ceesay [Ph.D.], a senior Political Science Lecturer and Executive Member of the newly formed Citizens’ Alliance (CA) party, has promised.
The politician, speaking in an exclusive interview with The Mansa Banko Online, at the University of The Gambia (UTG), intimated that a “CA government” would engage much on commercial agriculture, provide fertilizer, markets, training and provide modern technology for farmers so as to develop the farming sector.
The Gambia as the smallest country in mainland Africa has suitable land and fresh water for agriculture. But she depends on foreign countries like China to get sufficient feedings for the masses.
However, Dr. Ceesay held that, a CA government wants to ensure that The Gambia is a self-sustained economy, and produces its foods through massive investment in rice production, fisheries and horticulture.
The young politician and lecturer averred that a CA government would not accept dependance on rice importation when the country can grow rice. He recalled that the Jahally Rice Project was a very successful rice cultivation project in the country.
He opined there are many other projects all over the world that they could replicate in this country to ensure the country attains self-sufficiency in food supply, in the short and medium term.
“It has to do with a comprehensive strategy and I think is possible because we have everything we need.
We have the fertile soil and the manpower. 65% are young people and we need them in the farms; so this will start bringing employment,” CA party’s Dr. Ceesay told this medium.
He added that their government will provide a comprehensive strategy that will ensure the country is rice sufficient both in short and medium term. Nonetheless, Dr. Ceesay admitted this development cannot be done overnight; but one of the key targets of a Citizens’ Alliance Government is to make sure The Gambia produces sufficient rice for public consumption in short period.
On groundnut market
He revealed that some Gambian farmers are now selling their groundnuts to meddle-men in neighboring Senegal because those traders offer the groundnut farmer more price compare to The Gambia Government.
Therefore, he recommended that government should provide the farmers with market outlets as well protect them from any form of market exploitation by these middle-men.
The outspoken lecturer-cum-opposition politician posited that Government should ensure that no matter what, they set a groundnut price that could at least, enable farmers to get profits from their farms.
Ceesay claimed that combating poverty and hunger would not be a challenge for a CA government, stressing all the relevant resources used for combating hunger and poverty are available in the country.
He also believes considering the amount of resources available in the country, the level of poverty should not be high as it is at the moment.
Dr. Ceesay reasoned, “We have everything we need for Gambians to live a dignify life.”
