By Lamin Saidybah
The President of National Livestock Owners Association, Mr. Ebrima O. Jallow, has stressed that farmers should feel that they own projects that are meant for them, especially the livestock project- the Small Ruminants Production Enhancement Project (SRPEP).
In his encounter with Mansa Banko Online news medium, Jallow said the participation of farmers in the designing and implementation of projects is very vital, maintaining that once farmers take ownership of the projects, “it will become a successful one during the implementation and for sustainability purposes too”.
“The involvement of livestock farmers in the implementation of the livestock project approved by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), is important to us as the beneficiaries,” the Livestock Association chief remarked.
He also charged that the participation of project beneficiaries in all agricultural projects should be a concerned to donors, project management team and the beneficiaries.
Livestock President Jallow was speaking to this medium shortly after the launching of US$26.81 million project supported by the IsDB for livestock farmers. The project is expected to benefit 39 selected Districts across The Gambia, and this is the first time The Gambia is benefitting from a project of such magnitude, from the IsBD after 54 years of Independence.
The Islamic Development Bank finance project is a four year project geared towards improving livestock farming and livelihoods improvement for smallholder farmers in the country.
The project is a big boost, and an achievement, not only for the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) but the whole country, the Livestock Owners Association boss stated. Jallow called for closer collaboration between the project’s management and its beneficiaries, positing also that livestock farmers, dealers, marketers, chiefs and village heads as well as Department of Livestock Services (DLS) should continue working together in the interest of the nation for smooth implementation of the project.
He further advised the project management to monitor the contractors, whom, he alleged, “always contribute quarterly to the failure of a project”.
In summing up, Jallow echoed that he’s no doubt that with the good leadership of this project, it would achieve it desired goals.
