By Mariama Jallow
The Director General of National Agricultural Research Institute, in short NARI, Dr. Demba B. Jallow, has emphatically made it clear that the country can’t achieve its objectives in agricultural production without research.
It could be refreshed that NARI was established in 1993, by an act of parliament of the Republic of The Gambia. It’s a major component of The Gambian agricultural research system.
Speaking to Mansa Banko Online during an exclusive interview at his office in Brikama on Monday, 27th of January, the NARI boss said research plays an important role towards the country’s attainment of food self-sufficiency.
Dr. Jallow explained: “Research is the driven force of our economy when it comes to best agricultural practise. Therefore, I can clearly tell you that the only way for us to attain good agricultural production is making high priorities in research.”
Commenting on the challenges confronting his Research Institute, Dr. Jallow pointed to lack of equipment that would enable them do their work effectively without hindrance.
NARI, its boss told this medium, needs a laboratory with a view to enable them conduct research.
He went on to say that, unfortunately, currently they do borrow technology that are high yielding varieties so that they can introduce high yielding varieties in this country; and put them to the test on their own conditions and give them to farmers through extension {workers} in order to improve production.
“Last year, we brought 63 groundnut varieties and we screen them down to five. Out of the 63 verities, we only selected five.
“I can tell you that currently, our groundnut production and productivity is about 1 ton or around 0.8 to 0.9 per hectare, “the DG of NARI pointed out.
“However, with the verities, we have on average up to 2.5 ton per hectare and some up 3 ton per hectare. So, all what we are trying to do is to bring in varieties that are high yielding as it is what the farmers want,” Dr. Jallow informed.
He cited financing as another challenge affecting NARI, saying funding is a nightmare.
He, however, indicated that the government is trying it best but they can’t do it alone.
At that juncture, he re-echoed that without research, agriculture is not going anywhere in the country, noting that countries that depend on research are striving well.
