Office of The Gambian President: State House Online: Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh

The government of The Gambia in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nation signed a project support document on Thursday 27th February 2004.

The project is on Integrated Production and Pest Management Training through farmers field school in smallholder women farmers production systems in which FAO pledges to provide a total amount of US$311, 000. The project aims at enhancing livelihood and food security of small-scale vegetable farmers who are mostly women and the poorest.

At the signing Ceremony today in his office, the Secretary General, Office of the President acknowledged and thanked FAO for their kind gesture and timely response to the government's request. The Secretary General intimated that the signing of this project is a follow-up to another laudable project support signed just two weeks ago to the tune of US$120.000 within the framework of Technical Cooperation Programme as FAO's contribution to the development of a nationally managed and owned Medium-Term Investment Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development. He conveyed His Excellency the President Dr Alhaji Yahya AJJ Jammeh who is also responsible of the Agriculture sector his profound gratitude and appreciation for FAO's support to the government and people of the Gambia.

On his part the FAO country Representative gave a brief history of the integrated pest management and the rationale for the project and the numerous activities planned to be implemented. The project will train at least 1150 Gambians mostly women among others before its expiration by August 2005.

Messrs Fatou Jassey Kuyateh and Abdou Touray of the Department of State for Agriculture and Office of the President respectively witnessed the signing ceremony.