His Excellency the President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh has commended Gambian women especially volunteers who converged at State house to harvest his NERICA rice farm.

The Gambian leader made these remarks on Saturday when a group of women volunteers from Gunjur, Sanyang, Brufut and Nyofelleh came to harvest his farm at State House.

He recalled that it was this same group who helped in transplanting the rice and that they came all out to finish harvesting the rice farm.

The Gambian leader pointed out that he cultivated the State House rice farm because of his love for agricultural activities, adding that working in the field is in his blood.

He said that every year he used to backfill the land during the dry season thinking that it will no longer be water logging, but after when the rains began, he realized that was not a solution. President Jammeh stated that this year, instead of just leaving it as a barren land he decided to plant rice in this area which is very good. "So what we are going to do after the first harvest, we are going to allow the rice to come up again and after the second harvest, we are going to plant vegetable in the area."

He also used the occasion to appeal to the general public to come out and assist him to harvest his Kanilai farms as more hands are needed this year than last year. "I need more assistance from the general public especially with early maturing crops like the findi in order to avoid any post harvest loss. So this is why we are appealing to everyone who can help to do so," he pointed.

President Jammeh reminded them that the proceeds from his harvest is going back to support needy Gambians especially those in distress.

The Commanding Officer, State Guards Battalion Brigadier General Serign Modou Njie thanked the move taken by the women to harvest President Jammeh's rice farm at State House.

He expressed his gratitude to the Gambian leader stating that every Gambian should adhere to the message sent across by His Excellency for making The Gambia a food self-sufficient country.

Alhaji Ebrima Sanyang, a volunteer said working for the President is something worthwhile in view of the numerous things that he has done not only for them but the entire Gambian people. He noted that they are appreciative of whatever the President has done for them. He assured that they will continue to reciprocate those gestures. Sanyang was particularly impressed by the Gambian leader's decision to cultivate a farm at State House; something he added demonstrates his exemplary leadership qualities. This, he said, also goes to show how humble and ambitious the President is, a leader who leads by example. 

The National Assembly Member for Kombo South, Honourable Paul Mendy, for his part commended the women for the work they did on the farm, describing them as very serious people.

He said: "In a country like Taiwan, you will see no space there as people cultivate even road sides, premises of houses. So therefore the President feels it necessary to leave no stone unturned when it comes to farming," he said.

Hon Mendy further described President Jammeh as a visionary leader who is determined to develop the country to the highest length.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the volunteers Aja Mariama Sanyang of Gunjur said their move is more or less like helping the entire nation in view of the fact that proceeds derived from these farms go to benefit the people.

"We are happy with the exemplary leadership of the President in steering the affairs of this country in a right way. We are impressed with his farming activities because a leader who works in a sense works for everyone. So we are behind him in all his ventures," she concluded.

By Alhagie Ceesay