14 December 2002:

The mother of the head of state of the Republic of the Gambia, Aja Asombi Bojang, last weekend harvested large quantities of maize cobs at her farm in Bujingha, Foni kansala. Over three hundred people, most of them women helped her harvest her 10 hectare maize farm.

Mama Asombi who is in her mid-fifties underscored the importance of farming saying that without it life would be so unbearable to most people in the country whose main source of food is imported cereals. She said that since importation of goods into the country could sometimes be difficult, people should produce their own foodstuff by going back to the land.

She therefore advised that Gambians, especially the youths should take up farming seriously since not all of them could acquire so called `white Collar` jobs. She also advised against idling and laziness amongst youths.

The manager of Aja Asombi`s farm Musa Ceesay said the farm was barely one hectare in dimension last year but has now expanded ten fold this year. Mr.Ceesay said that with the right input, the farm could be expanded further next year.

He said that Aja Asombi has set a bright example to others of her type to make best use of old age by engaging in other productive ventures.

Most people who were present at the harvesting, expressed delight in helping the mother of the president harvesting her maize. They also expressed that the way forward for food self-sufficiency in the Gambia is through farming.

Reported by Lamin SM Jaiteh