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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 19:47:48
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| Nice contribution sister Bev, I concur on the basis that there is land enough for the exercise . Just make a survey of the rice growing areas which our elders had and used erstwhile , you will find out that most of the said land was grabbed by property developers and land salesmen who are expanding into all those areas mentioned. Certainly the land left over would not be enough to cater for the would be farmers to do what you so commendable recommend . I mean land for agriculture or horticulture needs to be available and it is, if not scarce in all areas truly none existent in some areas. This leaves the local residents of such areas to depend on imported food stuff or food supplies from farming /horticultural areas. In the early sixties one would enjoy seeing vast land areas from Old Jeshwang to Brikama and the Kombo North area which includes the area now being developed as the Brushubi complexes or in the former areas which have all sprouted vast buildings for domestic use and small industrial sites or shopping arcades. I am not claiming that such developments were unnecessary but that since the land was agricultural land before the said developments took place , it is bound to reflect on the agricultural/horticultural produce index; which would be zero as far at that area is concerned . some would argue that there was no serious agricultural activity in those areas but I want to assure all that in the colonial period some families in aforesaid areas never like to eat imported rice , they preferred local rice , and would tell others that imported rice was smelly or that it does not taste as good as Maalo sooseh.Those were the good old days. If you hear a child saying that I will not go to bed without my mum it is only because she has gone to the rice field , but if she died you surely would have no choice but sleep with any one else available. These proverbs go to show that We in the Gambia were basically farming folks and it showed in most of our discussions and proverbs. And this one is about some one who makes a claim based on a certainty in his mind that what he wants would happen but that if it was otherwise he would improvise. I believe that our people would find ways and means of surmounting the difficulties of life and would not wait for manna from heaven. |
Edited by - kaanibaa on 23 Apr 2008 20:03:11 |
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 19:51:15
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| I agree with you on this Bev, that is the way Cuba has survived after the collaps of Sovjet. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 13:30:10
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| Bev the question is this as we have mentioned, some people do not want to work the land, that is why Gambia is depending on imports. |
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mbay
Germany
1007 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 13:32:40
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Originally by kondorong
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.
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;
Great point! kon.
The people was having a willing of self sufficiency as well as self secure and ware proud of it, I remembers at that time when we come from Serra Leon, We ware sending straight head with the other youths in the compound to the (acre)rice field or other farming branches with out a singly complaining because we know what will come after that complaining.
That was so busy time that no much time will remain for doing a nonsense at some where.
More over the elder youths ware having they own field to buy they own things without asking too much from others or driving some one in the crime scene. Granny's busying with her vegetables mums with their groundnuts, at end their still will have enough remain even to sell to one another.
Yes 70s was not sweeter only in the developed worlds but in some third world as well.
But when (Some)man hand failed to feed his mouth then what expectation is behind it? Nothing but carelessness!
No one want to be dirty from the mud (poto poto)chines/twains? never mind.
I agree with one Germany politician by stopping or at list part of things that we can do by our self.
We cannot and most not always depending on the others help,Help here help there ,soon or late people will lost all the important thing in life Including feeding your self.
LEARN TO DO IT YOUR SELF AND TRY NOT TO FAILED TO FEED YOUR SELF BECAUSE THAT IS THE LAST ONE HAVE TO!
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2008 : 22:53:18
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| I´m afraid these high prices are here to stay and just get higher. Todays news from cnn: Brazil stops the export of rice since they are worried there will not be enough food for their people...If I got it right, also India and china did the same...in Us some supermarkets won´t let people buy too much of rice since they are afraid there will be lack of it soon. The higher prize is partly following the high pize of the oil making transports more expensive but also because of the better economics in India and china, that allows more people to eat more...rice...All food prizes are getting higher...also the fact that some countries now are growing stuff for fuel instead of food doesn´t make it easier. Gambia should make sure they put all the effort in growing food and trying to grow a substitute to rice these coming years since the tourism will be going down. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2008 : 09:45:00
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Tourism has very little impact on the villages of the more remote areas of Gambia, except a negative one. The young healthy fit men drift to the coast in search of work. This leaves the older men and the women to care for the children and to try to provide the food.
World food shortages are threatened. Gambian people really need to focus on their village. How to work together to provide enough food for their village. Forget making surplus to sell. Forget a job in tourism to get rich quick. We are back to subsistence level for hte moment. SURVIVAL.
Each healthy person in each village needs to do something PROACTIVE. Grow bananas, grow casava, go fishing, keep a few chickens, get a goat, grow rice etc etc etc....
In hard times it is about keeping the Wolf from the door.
It is the same pattern the world over, but at different levels. In UK families are going without luxuries: no holiday this year, forget upgrading the car, less meals out in expensive places...focusing on paying the bills and having enough food on the table.
It is going to be a hard couple of years ahead if the economists are right. |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2008 : 12:20:35
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
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 ............
I dont understand why this isnt possible. Can Gambians enlighten me?
you are absolutely right GambiaBev. we should be able to. but the reality, painfull as it maybe is that we live in a globalised world. you cannot 'stop' imports. that would be illegal.WTO Rules and you'll be punished as a nation for doing so. i'm against this
there are gambians with huge poultry farms,but they will never break even raising domestic chicken, the thing is the imported frozen drumsticks are 10 times cheeper. so people simply buy the cheapest thing because we dont have a lot of money. Ofcourse as you rightly pointed out its healthier to eat local chicken.
what we dont pay for at the shops we pay for through Health Service. today the number of gambians with Diabetics, high blood pressure etc is remarkable.
We import huge amounts of oil for a country who main crop is oil rich groundnuts!
Rice is our main staple food. There is even a local Rice species called Gambiaca, i think its native to the senegambia region. we have been cultivating rice for centuries. why not today! there needs to be some programme to re-oreint youths to take up Agriculture and i dont thing its enought to simply say in village. to farm you need tools, fertilizer etc. These cost money and you cannot isolate them from the cash economy.
i believe an Agricultural Development Bank would go a long way to channel funds and micro-lending to youths and farmers, female farmers especially to take up agriculture as a modern way of live and save us all.
we should also diversify what we eat. there is Cassava to produce flour from, Findi (similar to coucous), chereh,beans and lots more we can eat.
there is also an attitudinal problem inherent in gambian. we are obsessed with imports goods. anything so long as its imported, we love it, from Music, food, clothes. |
Edited by - njucks on 05 May 2008 12:32:08 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2008 : 17:55:04
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Njuks
We had an Agricultural Development bank i believe or am i mistaking it for for the Commercial and Development bank?
I belive we all need to sacrifice for our country and work the fields. No body will do that for us. |
“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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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2008 : 18:37:42
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i agree we all need to work hard but i didnt agree with your text on biofuels (alternative energy) and food prices.
today Ablie Wadda called for the FAO to be scrapped!! |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2008 : 18:47:00
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Sure you have a right to disagree regarding biofuels and prices of food stuff like grains. But there is a cause effect on this. As grains are diverted for fuel production, suply is limited for consumption. Basic deman and supply economics.
Besides, with more subsidies for bio fuels, farmers are encouraged to prouced less of other grains and more of corn. |
“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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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2008 : 21:31:33
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thats true, but my main concern is that Climate Change is real and biofuels can offer a really positive alternative and its possible at village levels to industrial levels.
i think its a shame that Biofuels are taking the blame when only few months ago it was being actively promoted. The truth is Biofuel is a broad term that include bioethanol (hence the corn grain you mentioned), Biogas,Biodiesel and even agricultural waste.
for example, even when you produce FOOD there will be the crop residue which can be burnt as fuel. this is still biofuel. You remember in The Gambia the groundnut shell used to be turned into Briquettes for people to cook with. this is a solid form of biofuel from 'waste' that has nothing to do with food prices. thats the danger with all these general sweeping statements.
sometime back there was a project in the news, and reported in the bantaba, how cow dung was being turned into biogas for people in Lamin, Penyem etc to cook with. again biofuel from waste nothing to do with food prices.
in Sweden, in some cities entire bus fleets are running on biogas from organic household waste.
if oil prices go up so does fertiliser prices, transport/shipping cost, etc and all these can affect food prices.
i also think it could help if all the idle land in europe, which currently farmers are being paid not to farm, because they all ready have surplus, can be atleast used to grow energy crops rather than land used for food crops being used for biofuels.
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Edited by - njucks on 05 May 2008 21:47:24 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2008 : 21:42:58
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
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.
This may be a good move my the government and with the help of the Dutch may produce much needed local produce
This from the Point
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/2008/5/6/200-hectares-for-onion-and-irish-potatoes-cultivation
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 06 May 2008 21:45:03 |
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Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2008 : 04:26:55
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We had both the elusive one ,Agricultural development bank was led by Mr sanyang and then there was The commercial development bank and we all know what happened to that...................................Peacequote:
Originally posted by kondorong
Njuks
We had an Agricultural Development bank i believe or am i mistaking it for for the Commercial and Development bank?
I belive we all need to sacrifice for our country and work the fields. No body will do that for us.
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I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
Edited by - Moe on 07 May 2008 22:57:07 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2008 : 11:03:14
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
This from the Observer about rice,
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/2008/5/5/mini-read-the-looming-food-crisis-n0-need-to-panic
Having been written in the Observer it shows that the Authorities are fully aware of peoples thought about this.
IS this the authorities response?
This from Foroyaa newspaper,read the full story here,
http://www.foroyaa.gm/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1528
A short clip from the story,
By Madou Jonga & Saikou Ceesay
More than one hundred farmers, notably cashew farmers in Pirang, in the Kombo East District, have reacted swiftly to a pending seizure of their land, measuring 3 km by 2.5 km, by the Regional Governor of Western Region, Abdou F.M Badjie. The land area in question is reported to be earmarked, by the authorities, for MA Kharafi Company and Holland Food and Meat Production Project.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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