Day 2 of the ROOTS field visit with the media took the team to rice production sites in the Central River Region South (CRRS), where farmers are already harvesting and celebrating the remarkable progress made under the ROOTS Subsidized Input Support for Rice program.
The first stop was Dobongkunda, followed by Bansang–Bantanto, Tabanding, Njoben, and finally Malikunda–Sowe Kunda.
At Bansang–Bantanto, where over 200 farmers are part of the group, executive member Maimuna Sannoh shared how ROOTS has transformed their farming experience:
“Farming is our livelihood, and we rely on this field for feeding our families. Before ROOTS, we struggled to plough, access certified seeds, and fertilizer. With ROOTS’ support, we received ploughing, seeds, fertilizer, and herbicides. Now, we eat what we grow and no longer depend on imported rice. The rice is healthy, and we hope one day our rice can be exported.”
Lady President Sally Fatty expressed similar sentiments, noting that she expects her harvest to feed her family for 12 months or more.
In Tabanding, where the rice fields had been abandoned for nearly two decades before ROOTS’ intervention, President Foday Conateh described the project’s impact:
“ROOTS provided ploughing services, certified seeds, fertilizer, and herbicides. You can see for yourself—the fields are looking amazing, and we’re expecting a bumper harvest. Our youths and women are actively involved. We now need a combine harvester to ease harvesting. For sustainability, we add a small amount on top of the input cost to keep supporting future activities.”
The team also visited Njoben, where farmers are currently harvesting, and later proceeded to Malikunda–Sowe Kunda, where the project supported 26ha with ploughing and provided equivalent inputs.
According to Kumba Jallow, the Lady President:
“This is the first time we are receiving such support, and we are very grateful. Though our ploughing was a bit late, I got only 2 bags last year, but this year I’m expecting at least 15. We’re anticipating a bumper harvest, though we still need one or two more rains.”
Another farmer, Sutay Sowe, shared that he previously harvested only 5 bags from his 3 plots but now expects around 15 bags per plot this year.
Across all the sites visited, farmers expressed optimism for a bumper harvest and gratitude to the ROOTS Project for revitalizing rice production in their communities, ensuring food self-sufficiency, and empowering women and youth in agriculture.