Preparations Begin

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Daily Observer

11 May 2011

editorial

We are now in May. If all goes well, the country is likely to experience the first drops of rain very soon. This therefore means that preparations should be in top gear on the part of our farming community so that we can be better prepared to return to the land in pursuit of our food self-sufficiency aspirations. The move by the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Yahya AJJ Jammeh to distribute tractors to the traditional chiefs in the country, among others, is a reminder that we should wake up and begin pre-planting operations before the arrival of the rains so that we can register a bumper harvest at the end of the farming season.

This, of course, is not the first time such a gesture is coming from the Gambian head of state. He is well known for his tireless effort towards ensuring that his aspirations for this country are realised. Also, President Jammeh’s inclination to actualising self-reliance is quite an admirable one that does not deserve to go unnoticed. And that is why we will ever remain determined to draw attention to whatever move he takes in this noble direction. This latest distribution of tractors should surely serve as a source of inspiration for all those involved in the general effort of making sure that the country realises its food self-sufficiency goals.

What is important now is that the recipients take ownership of these tractors and make maximum use of them so that we can maximise production and register bumper harvests at the end of the planting season. The youths also need to take up the challenge. They are the cream of the society. Venturing into farming operations will greatly curtail unemployment and enable them to live respectably. Let us all come together to till the land for our own benefit.

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