The Ministry of Agriculture of the Gambia has received the first stock of 2000 metric tons of compound fertiliser NPK 6:20:10.
Speaking to journalists at the jetty in Banjul, the minister of Agriculture, Amie Fabureh, said she is happy about 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 giving to bring the fertilisers 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 is timely available,” she said.
Responding to questions from journalists, the Minister pointed out that eleven thousand metric tons of different fertilisers of compound fertilizer (15:15:15:4, 6:20:10) and urea nitrogen fertilizer (46%) should cover the whole of the farming community in the country.
However, she cautions that due diligence has to be done to ensure that the fertiliser 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 fertilisers would give confidence to the farming community.
He said the minister has given assurance that she and her team will ensure that fertilisers and other farming inputs are giving to farmers on time.
“Our government and ministry told farmers in April, and April is here the fertilisers are here,” he 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 fertilisers 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.
Mr Njie pointed out that before the end of May all the fertilisers ordered are expected to be in the country.
