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toubab1020
12313 Posts |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 16:02:30
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 18:00:06
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I think the point report is fair and balanced. The problem is certainly not only gambian. Another issue worth mentioning is the effect of alternative fuel sources like biofuels (etanol) made from corn. The heavy susidy given to ethanol producers means that its attractive for farmers to sell their corn to them than to ranchers to suport cattle.
Meat and dairy products have consequently gone up because of limited supply. So what seems to be an enviromental saving exercise is now turning into a human extinction problem. It also means more and more land that used to be used to grow other grains are now becoming atractive for corn and sugar to produce ethanol.
Gambianas must learn to grow our own food if we have to survive. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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toubab1020
12313 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 18:14:21
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quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
Gambianas must learn to grow our own food if we have to survive.
Quite so but where is the money going to come from to buy seed,and lets face it to grow enough food tractors must be used,manpower is all very well but handly efficient,some country donated tractors to be used by the people for farming I remember,there again who will pay for the fuel tractors use,its a catch 22 situation.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 18:42:21
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
Quite so but where is the money going to come from to buy seed,and lets face it to grow enough food tractors must be used,manpower is all very well but handly efficient,some country donated tractors to be used by the people for farming I remember,there again who will pay for the fuel tractors use,its a catch 22 situation.
I repectfully want to disagree. Lets look at it with the glass half full instead of half empty. I believe that the moment one starts to think of what to do if one fails, one has already failed because ones mind is focused on failure and devising an exit strategy.
There has to be sacrifices. On the streets, you cant understand how big SUVs (sport utility cars) are bought and with fuel costing D35.00 a liter or $9.00 a gallon, Gambia is not pooor.
We just need to to have our priorities right. Cut down on official travels and sizes of delegations, make every public official work 8-4, reduce waste and streamline the civil service ( i believe there is over employment); cut down on expensive cars and fuel waste, ensure revenue generation by reducing leakages, and having a politcal will to see it through not with a party lense, but patriotic lense where every Gambian or resident is welcome to participate.
In the 1970s, we were almost about to export rice. Those projects had all the tractors you mentioned above. It was not backed by a strong political will. Look at Jahally Pacharr, Sapu, Bansang, Kuntaur, kaur, Dankunku smalll scale project, Maccarthy;
What all the projects have in common are: far too many expensive project vehicles, fuel waste, no accountability of any sort, huge salaries, expensive consultancies, and very little direct investment on the projects to see meaningful and sustainable development. Money was not the problem, commitment was and is still today.
It can be done. Like obama said " Yes We Can" and not what Hilary said " Yes we will". The difference is Obama is looking at now whilst the other is looking to the future. There is a timeline for "now" but no time line for the "future". |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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toubab1020
12313 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 20:53:07
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| Kons, How can you disagree with me? in your posting you have just added to my thoughts and reinforced all I have said, I AGREE WITH YOU. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 21:23:18
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Most SUVs you see are owned by government or tourists. Very few Gambian owned as individuals.
Rather than thinking about exporting rice, it would be a step forward if Gambia could support its own people in food.
Rice..lots of bags are from USA etc....Gambia should try to produce more of its own....
Chicken. I presumed chicken in Gambia was free range in the village...I was really shocked when I heard lots was imports....
Gambians should be capable of producing their own beautiful free range organic chicken rather than eating thai c--p.......
I dont understand why this isnt possible. Can Gambians enlighten me? |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 21:35:23
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
Kons, How can you disagree with me? in your posting you have just added to my thoughts and reinforced all I have said, I AGREE WITH YOU.
No. Your posting was about lack of tractors fuel etc. My posting was about that those are not the problems. We have the money to do so if we can prioritise.
You see an obtacle, i see a challenge. An obstacle is almost impossible to go around. You can go around a challenge |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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toubab1020
12313 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 21:54:04
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OK.. OK ........I will admit that "the glass is half full not half empty" whatever,...... we are still talking about why food cannot be produced in the country to save valuable money being used on imports.!I shall go around my obstacle you go around your challange.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 22:54:44
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| You cant go round an obstacle. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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toubab1020
12313 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 00:41:52
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quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
You cant go round an obstacle.
Hmmmmmmmmmm..........I think I will empty the glass now!  Its OK Brother it only contains cows milk! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 23 Apr 2008 00:46:08 |
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brikama
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 08:34:26
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| what is the difference between an obstacle and a challenge? |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 13:24:38
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Bev i agree, i was shocked when I heard chickens were imported or brought from neighbouring countries. How hard is it to keep chickens As for growing your own food, Gambians up river do that the problem seems to be internal distribution.
Rice can be bought from the presidents farm if you have connections, it should not have to be imported from Spain or Taiwan, what nonsense is that.
Gambian should be growing there own tomatoes/onions etc and these goods should be exported not imported. BUT ONCE AGIN IT WILL BE OFFICALDOM/ATTITUDE that changes the status quo of gambia and its people. |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 17:04:36
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It's probably true to say that The Gambia could grow its own rice and be self sufficient - I believe it was in the past? ?
What changed? Well, I believe it has something to do with world money markets, world food programmes and the people who 'control' those things (for their own ends, one supposes).
So - I have a nasty feeling that the Gambia no longer falls within a world designated rice growing area whereas Taiwan and USA do....... (go figure!)
Sadly the world is not straightforward and what seems so, so logical to most of us (grow your own rice, tomatoes, onions and chickens!) is not part of the business world's plan for world domination .......
Yes, I'm a bit of a cynic: so the rich grow richer and we all know what happens to everyone else ......
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 18:45:14
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| I do not believe it has to do with world markets more like local governmental attitudes. Gambia has rice |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 19:01:02
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Jambo it would be a step forward if each village became self sufficient for its basic needs.
Gambia may never be in a position to export, but to feed its own people would be a major step forward.
There is a village on the way to Tendaba, near Kwinella that is attempting to be self sufficent. Its name escapes me...sorry. It would be a good model to follow.
The model of 2nd world war UK is a gud one..people growing their own veg and keeping poultry for eggs and meat. |
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