 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Aug 2014 : 02:43:06
|
Gambia could really do without this additional pending disaster,hunger already exists in many homes,doubtless the cost of essential food items will rise if the rains fail and food is scarce in the future due to local produce being unavailable,this situation could of course be many weeks away or completely averted if the rains come shortly.
"Mr. Demba noted that 95% of the Siffoe community depends on farming to feed their families, pay the children’s school fees and take care of other basic needs.
“It is going to be a big problem if the rains fail to come as there will be no harvest and many people would suffer as a result, including myself, as desperate families will be besieging me as the village Alkalo to help them with food, etc,”
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/769
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 05 Aug 2014 02:44:10 |
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2014 : 21:37:48
|
I hope the Administration has plans for the future if drought becomes s a reality as is looking more and more likely
A columnist at Foroyaa observes farmers plight:
Snippet:
"As the columnist tours the country to meet the farming community on the current rainy season, he could not continue up to the end to write his report without calling on Foroyaa to ask government to conduct a quick survey and make a statement on the current farming season.
It is obvious to anyone who is interested in farming that the irregularity of rain is likely to have a negative impact on food and cash crop. Some farmers who sow their crops saw them perish right before their own eyes because of the long dry spell. They are wondering what to do. The government has to give an answer whether it is late rains or a drought."
The farmers are desperate for an answer. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 12 Aug 2014 21:42:12 |
 |
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2014 : 13:27:50
|
| I am told that heavy rain has been falling in Gambia for several days now,so hopefully crops can grow well and hunger in Gambia can be averted,it is a problem when rains do not arrive on "man made time" |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2014 : 21:53:53
|
A bit late for this meeting:
Time to know the ‘prospects’
africa » gambia
Tuesday, September 09, 2014
Acrucial meeting is under way in Banjul, and has definitely convened at the right time and place.
Indeed, this is one CILSS member state which has so far experienced an erratic rainy season.
Actually up to August, rainfall as seen and felt in Banjul and environs has not been up to expectations this year, and perhaps the Met officer figures will bear this out.
Our counterparts in Foroyaa have been expressing concern about this state of affairs – rightly so - and sounding the alarm bells for some time now.
Indeed, we are all concerned, as any national crop failure will make Gambians suffer, and among others derail our new Vision 2016 initiative.
Definitely, such a development will make life and things generally difficult for people living in this very poor country, and that is not anybody’s wish.
The very thought of it is frightening, especially when one considers that agriculture employs around 70 percent of the country’s labour force, including a lot of women; and contributes around 30 per cent of national GDP.
Perhaps the government was waiting for this CILSS meeting in Banjul, before it issues any public statement on “agricultural and food prospects” for the 2014-2015 farming season.
We understand that there is a mechanism to be followed, including the “annual joint evaluation missions on food production,” which would involve consultations with participation in the assessment of the situation by our “partners in development”, before the government issues such a press release.
Thus it is important that the assessments or findings discussed at this meeting be made available to the governments and our partners, as soon as practicable, to enable them “immediately start thinking of the mechanisms and arrangements to put in place for providing support.”
From our story carried in this paper, we learned that “this information system that CILSS has been leading for over two decades has enabled countries in the sub-region to have a standing consultative framework helping them better understand food and nutrition security issues.
“Since then,” we are told, “no major crisis has taken our region by surprise, thanks to the food crisis prevention and management tools developed by CILSS, with support from its partners.”
That is highly reassuring!
“Thus it is important that the assessments or findings discussed at this meeting be made available to the governments and our partners, as soon as practicable, to enable them “immediately start thinking of the mechanisms and arrangements to put in place for providing support.”
The Point
thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/time-to-know-the-prospects
And Foroyaa's take on this:
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/1355#more-1355
SNIPPET:
"There is absolutely no doubt that if there is shortage in the volume of rainfall, upland rice will fail, tidal irrigation will fail and food shortage would be the ultimate outcome."
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 10 Sep 2014 10:44:11 |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2014 : 12:06:15
|
Well at least action is being taken and planning for the future made
CILSS wants crop production estimates by November 2014
The Point: Publishe on Friday, September 12, 2014
The CILSS regional consultation convened in Banjul, from 8 to 10 September 2014, on the 2014-2015 agricultural and crops prospects in the Sahel and West Africa, has asked countries “to take steps to carry out the agricultural sample surveys to make production estimates available by November 2014.”
Another recommendation is to “strengthen monitoring of the regional market and cross-border trade flows.”
Participants in the press release issued at the end of the three-day meeting described this year as “an agro-pastoral season with heterogeneous crop development stages that needs to be closely monitored.”
Their recommendations include “stepping up monitoring of the agro-pastoral season by further involving the technical and financial partners, as well as farmer organisations.”
The press release contained other recommendations for the attention of CILSS, UEMOA, ECOWAS and partners.
They are to “take every action deemed necessary to collect information on the progress of the agro-pastoral season and the food and nutrition situation in the countries affected by the Ebola virus disease outbreak.”
Another recommendation is to “assess the impact of the Ebola outbreak on the food and nutrition situation, the regional market functioning and cross-border trade flows during the joint missions for the agro-pastoral season monitoring.”
Finally, they are requested to “increase humanitarian assistance in those countries affected by the Ebola virus outbreak.”
The full title of the press release is: “2014-2015 Agricultural and Crops Prospects in the Sahel and West Africa – An agro-pastoral season with heterogeneous crop development stages that need to be closely monitored.”
CILSS is the French acronym for the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel.
The three-day meeting was hosted by the Planning Services Unit under the Ministry of Agriculture in Banjul, and was described as a regional consultation on the mid-term review of the 2014-2015 agro-pastoral season, and agricultural and food prospects.
“This meeting falls within the framework of the operation of the regional food crisis prevention and management in the Sahel and West Africa (PREGEC) programme,” the release stated.
According to the release, as regards rainfall, “in general, rainfall recorded in June and July was unevenly distributed in time and space with the region. These rain “came late in the north and west of the Sahel...Seasonal cumulative rainfalls are less than or equivalent to those of the 2013 season and generally below the 1981-2010 average.”
“On the crop situation, delays in and re-start of planning were noted in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Chad...The continuation of rains in September and October 2014 might provide residual soil moisture allowing crops to complete their development cycle.
“At the end of August, the crop development stages are very heterogeneous, from the heightening to maturation, depending on countries and localities, due to the poor distribution of rains in time and space...
“Thus, the expected crop productions (cereals and legumes) could be average in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad. They would be below average in The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal, which could lead to an early lean season.”
Author: Abdoulie Nyockeh
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/cilss-wants-crop-production-estimates-by-november-2014 |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2014 : 14:50:27
|
It appears what I predicted in August has come true I can only hope that the population has taken steps to store food for the future,the content of this report indicates to me that they haven't.
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/poor-prospects-for-harvest-due-to-late-rains-in-the-gambia
SAD SNIPPET;
Of those, 200,000 have already crossed the emergency threshold and need urgent food assistance. Across the country, 50,000 children are acutely malnourished, 8,000 of them in the highest category of severity. "
======================================================================
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
Gambia could really do without this additional pending disaster,hunger already exists in many homes,doubtless the cost of essential food items will rise if the rains fail and food is scarce in the future due to local produce being unavailable,this situation could of course be many weeks away or completely averted if the rains come shortly.
"Mr. Demba noted that 95% of the Siffoe community depends on farming to feed their families, pay the children’s school fees and take care of other basic needs.
“It is going to be a big problem if the rains fail to come as there will be no harvest and many people would suffer as a result, including myself, as desperate families will be besieging me as the village Alkalo to help them with food, etc,”
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/769
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2014 : 21:01:38
|
UN, gov't donors meet to mobilise US$18.3M for Gambia
Africa » Gambia
Thursday, October 02, 2014
A few weeks ahead of the harvest period, the Gambian government, United Nations agencies and donors recently met in Dakar to review the humanitarian situation in The Gambia as well as to devise ways of how the US$18.3M required to address the needs of the most vulnerable population in the country could be raised.
The meeting, according to the UN office in The Gambia was convened against the backdrop of expected “poor prospects for harvest due to late rains in The Gambia”.
“The rainy season started weeks late in The Gambia and when the rains eventually came, they were erratic and probably insufficient to salvage the season,” stated Robert Piper, UN assistant secretary-general and Regional Humanitarian coordinator for the Sahel to the meeting.
“A bad harvest can have dire consequences for the food security of thousands of families and badly impact the nutritional status of their children,” he added.
The food security situation in The Gambia is deteriorating, according to UN. It disclosed that today, a third of Gambia’s 1.8 million inhabitants are food insecure. “Of those, 200,000 have already crossed the emergency threshold and need urgent food assistance,” it added. Across the country, 50,000 children are acutely malnourished, 8,000 of them in the highest category of severity, according to the UN.
“The work of humanitarian teams who are trying to help communities through these harsh times is greatly challenged. Resources are coming too little and too late”, noted Ade Mamonyane Lekoetje, the UN Resident coordinator in The Gambia.
Since the beginning of humanitarian operations in The Gambia in 2012, the effort has been chronically under-funded. Last year, only 2% of the US$ 15 million required for the humanitarian response was secured; the lowest level of funding received of all Sahel countries in 2013.
This year, US$ 18.3 million are required to address the needs of the country’s most vulnerable. Priority interventions include food, nutrition and agricultural assistance in addition to support to increased access to water, sanitation and health services. To date only US$ 4 million or 21 percent of the fund needed has been received.
“Despite major crises unfolding around the globe and in the region, the needs of vulnerable Gambians must not be overlooked. We are entering a critical season with risks of locust invasion, epidemics and floods where needs will increase”, highlighted the UN Resident coordinator. Coping capacities of Gambian communities have been challenged in recent years, with more frequent droughts and floods, according to her. Without timely support, she warned, communities are going deeper into poverty with every shock.
The minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and the minister of Health and Social Welfare of The Gambia, Kebba S. Touray and Omar Sey respectively, briefed the meeting on the government’s vision for increased agricultural production and resilience-building, as well as plans for improved health coverage and Ebola preparedness.
“Our government is committed to building the resilience of poorest households in The Gambia for the mid to long term, and this is demonstrated through an increase in budget allocation to the agriculture and health sectors,” said Minister Kebba Touray. “But in the meantime, current emergency needs in The Gambia caused by external shocks such as the erratic rainfall pattern and the need for Ebola preparedness require collaboration and support from our partners”.
Author: Daily Observer
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/un
======================================================================
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
It appears what I predicted in August has come true I can only hope that the population has taken steps to store food for the future,the content of this report indicates to me that they haven't.
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/poor-prospects-for-harvest-due-to-late-rains-in-the-gambia
SAD SNIPPET;
Of those, 200,000 have already crossed the emergency threshold and need urgent food assistance. Across the country, 50,000 children are acutely malnourished, 8,000 of them in the highest category of severity. "
======================================================================
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
Gambia could really do without this additional pending disaster,hunger already exists in many homes,doubtless the cost of essential food items will rise if the rains fail and food is scarce in the future due to local produce being unavailable,this situation could of course be many weeks away or completely averted if the rains come shortly.
"Mr. Demba noted that 95% of the Siffoe community depends on farming to feed their families, pay the children’s school fees and take care of other basic needs.
“It is going to be a big problem if the rains fail to come as there will be no harvest and many people would suffer as a result, including myself, as desperate families will be besieging me as the village Alkalo to help them with food, etc,”
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/769
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2014 : 23:43:36
|
SNIPPET:
"The trainees were supported with seeds including early maturing crop varieties that are capable of striving very well even with the short and erratic rainy seasons that are being witnessed in recent years. They were also supplied with soil fertility improvement crops such as legumes (g/nut and cowpea)"
Action Aid International The Gambia (AAITG) continued to empower smallholder farmers across the country for improved agricultural production and productivity.
Under its project “promote sustainable agriculture and improved natural resources management” the international humanitarian agency had in the past two seasons organised series of trainings on the Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA,) that exposed over 100 smallholder farmers to the concept and principles as well strategies of the project.
The trainees were supported with seeds including early maturing crop varieties that are capable of striving very well even with the short and erratic rainy seasons that are being witnessed in recent years. They were also supplied with soil fertility improvement crops such as legumes (g/nut and cowpea).
The agency’s officials are currently on a tour of intervention sites to assess the level of progress as well as challenges.
On day one of the tour, the officials, accompanied by journalists visited a 1.5 hectare sesame farm in Touba Kolong, North Bank Region (NBR).
The farm belongs to one Kumba Sanyang-Darboe, and speaking to the Daily Observer on her field, she expressed gratitude to Action Aid The Gambia for the support rendered to her. She said the support given under this new approach is highly welcomed, noting that proceeds from the farm will be very helpful.
While looking forward to a bumper harvest, Sanyang-Darboe promised to share with other farmers, the knowledge gained from Action Aid trainings.
The farmer, who is hopeful that the country can feed itself, added: “I urge my fellow farmers to adapt to the new agricultural practice by Action Aid, considering the current climate change”. She promised to expand the farm come next year provided that she has enough land, while indicating that 12 farmers have already shown interest in sesame seeds for next farming season.
At the time of filing this report, the delegation was visiting other intervention sites in the Central River Region (CRR).
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices that would in the long term promote food self-sufficiency and enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends. It is also possible to make most efficient use of non-renewable resources, and Action Aid considers sustainable agriculture as an approach derived from the recognition of people’s right to food. It is a way of life based on self-reliant and agro-ecological systems encompassing all forms of livelihood for smallholder farmers, on-farm resources.
Overall, sustainable agriculture is considered to be the best way of sustaining the economic viability of farm operations and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
The new approach is also seen by officials of Action Aid as a solidarity tool for smallholder farmers who seek to resist the current agricultural development models that increase their dependency on external inputs and reduce their autonomy from the agribusiness sector.
The sustainable agriculture also promotes the empowerment of women smallholder farmers who have inadequate access to land and other productive resources.
Author: Alieu Ceesay on tour
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/action-aid-gambia-empowers-rural-farmers
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 07 Nov 2014 23:49:28 |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 11 Nov 2014 : 11:38:48
|
ACTIONAID VISITS PROJECT FARMS WITH JOURNALISTS
EditorNovember 10, 2014
Abdoulie G. Dibba
Action Aid International The Gambia (AAITG) on Wednesday 5th November Alasana Sabally2014 embarked on a visit of the intervention sites under their project “Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA).” Five reporters accompanied the team to make direct observations.
According to Jainaba Nyang-Njie, the Manageress of ActionAid International The Gambia Communication and Documentations unit, the purpose of the visit is get first hand information of AAITG on Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA) for improved agricultural productivity using techniques and methods that are environmentally friendly.
Talking to Journalists about the concept of Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture, the AAITG Food Rights Manager Alhagi Wurri Jallow noted that it is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices that would in the long term promote food self-sufficiency and enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends.
He said, it is also possible to make most efficient use of non-renewable resources, and Action Aid considers sustainable agriculture as an approach derived from the recognition of people’s right to food and that it is a way of life based on self-reliant and agro-ecological systems encompassing all forms of livelihood for smallholder farmers, on-farm resources.
According to the Food Rights Manager, sustainable agriculture is considered to be the best way of sustaining the economic viability of farm operations and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
Manager Jallow said that the project organised a series of trainings on Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA) that exposed over 100 smallholder farmers to the concept, principles, and strategies of the project as well as soil fertility enhancement without resorting to chemical fertilizer which is expensive.
Jallow added that apart from the training the trainees were supported with early maturing crop varieties seeds that are capable of striving very well even with the short and erratic rainy seasons that are being witnessed in recent years as well as improved the soil fertility.
“We want you to go on the intervention sites to see for yourselves and talk to the beneficiaries regarding impact of Action Aid Climate Resilient Sustainable agriculture intervention on their lives and report objectively,” stated the AAITG Food Right Manager.
The team which comprises two staff of AAITG and one staff of NARI visited a farm in Touba Kolong in Upper Nuimi in the North Bank Region belonging to one Kumba Sanyang, a farm in Pinyai Niamina Dankunku belonging to Musukebba Kanteh, a farm in Kerr Laine belonging to one Awa Jobe, a farm in Sare Anis belonging to Foday Sowe, a farm in Njie Kunda belonging to Mam Fal, a farm in Ngawarr belonging to Alasana Sabally and a farm in Touba Demba belonging to Suntu Wally.
All the farms visited by the team are within the AAITG Local Rights Programme (LRP) 8, 9 and 11 in North Bank and Central River Regions.
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/2283#more-2283 |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2014 : 18:10:31
|
SNIPPET:
"Asked about the impact of the low harvest relating to the duration their food stock usually serve them, Mr Dampha indicated that the low harvest would drastically reduce the duration their food stock used to serve them and therefore calls on Government and Non-governmental Organizations to come to their aid."
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/2537 |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Not Much Rain yet,food problem in future?
