Posted by 
The Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday 8th April 2020, received the first stock of two thousand (2000) metric tons of compound fertilizer NPK.
Speaking to journalists at the jetty in Banjul, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Amie Fabureh said she is happy the timely availability of fertilizer in the country as promised by the Government of The Gambia. She applauded the management of National Food Security Processing and Marketing Cooperation known as former (GGC) and the contracting committee for their hard work and dedication to ensure that the dateline given to bring the fertilizer is being fulfilled.
“I want to assure our famers that whatever they request from the Ministry of Agriculture,… or even the Head of State we will do everything possible to ensure that it is timely available,” the Minister said.
Responding to questions from journalists, the Minister pointed out that eleven thousand metric tons of different compound fertilizers and urea nitrogen fertilizer (46%) should cover the whole of the farming community in the country.
However, she cautioned that due diligence has to be done to ensure that the fertilizer is not sold outside the country because that was the reason why it was not enough for the farmers last year.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Momodou Mbye Jabang said the provision of the fertilizers would give confidence to the farming community. He said the Hon. Minister has given assurance that she and her team will ensure that fertilizers and other farming input are given to farmers on time. “Our government and ministry told farmers in April, and April is here the fertilizers are here,” PS Jabang said.
The Managing director of the National Food Security Processing and Marketing Cooperation, Muhammed Njie said his institution was tasked with the responsibility to procure and deliver eleven thousand (11,000.00) metric tons of fertilizers to the farming community before the commencement of the rain season. He said the institution has started to make that delivery with the first consignment of 2000 metric tons. Njie pointed out that before the end of May all the fertilizers ordered are expected to be in the country.
By Momodou Kanteh, Information Officer MoA.
Source: CESS