The Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Security has officially begun a 5-day nationwide field tour, visiting key agricultural project sites across the country to assess progress and engage with farming communities.
📍 First Stop for ROOTS: Kanuma Women’s Vegetable Garden, Lower Niumi
Originally initiated under the NEMA Project and completed by ROOTS, the Kanuma Women’s Vegetable Garden is now a thriving hub for 155 members (153 women and 2 men).
🌿 Key Achievements:
✅ Income increased dramatically — from D29,225 in 2022 to D1.63 million in 2025
âś… Reliable access to water secured through project interventions
✅ A tricycle provided by ROOTS has generated D130,000 in transport services, boosting members’ savings
âś… A clear sustainability plan is in place as the project nears completion
âś… Members expressed heartfelt appreciation for the life-changing impact of the support
Second Stop for ROOTS: Sittanunku Rice Production Site
This site benefits from ROOTS’ subsidized input support program and is run by 90 members (80 women, 10 men).
2024 Milestones:
52 hectares ploughed
2,500 kg of certified rice seed distributed
300 bags of fertilizer supplied (200 NPK, 100 Urea)
150 litres of herbicide provided
Achieved an average yield of 3.6 tons per hectare
A major challenge — lack of a thresher — has now been resolved by the project
2025 Support Boost:
70 hectares ploughed
3,500 kg seed distributed
420 bags of fertilizer (280 NPK, 140 Urea)
210 litres of herbicide provided
During the visit, the women farmers highlighted the need for tractors and harvesting equipment to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Minister expressed his satisfaction with the progress made and pledged continued government support. He reaffirmed President Adama Barrow’s vision for achieving rice self-sufficiency by 2030.
The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, CPCU Coordinator, Project Directors (ROOTS, Small Ruminant, GAFSP), as well as Honourable Sowe and Honourable Badjie from the National Assembly Select Committee on Agriculture.
The day concluded with a courtesy call on the Governor of the North Bank Region.