FAO and partners promote dialogue between crop and livestock farmers to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 on lives and livelihoods
13 July 2020, Banjul — The Covid-19 containment measures put in place by the government in March 2020 are already affecting livelihoods in The Gambia. Several socio-economic activities have ceased. Remittances from abroad may also dwindled. This has forced many people in the informal sector of the economy to venture into crop and horticultural production to sustain lives and livelihoods. As a result, forest area, cattle routes and grazing areas are at risk of being cleared for farming.
The border closure prevents transhumance and thus aggravating competition for productive land amongst crop and livestock farmers in The Gambia, with an increase in potential and actual serious conflicts over land for farming, grazing and access to water for livestock.
In an effort to help mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on lives and livelihoods, the National Livestock Owners Association (NaLOA) and staff of the Department of Livestock Services in collaboration with FAO embarked on a two-week nationwide tour designed to promote dialogue between the crops and livestock farmers. NaLOA spearheaded the tour supported by FAO through the Global Environment Facility project “Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change in The Gambia” and theUN Peace Building Fund project “Addressing conflict over land and natural resources in the Gambia”.
The outreach activity, which commenced on the 27th of June 2020, in Essau North Bank Region ended with a meeting and press briefing in Brikama, West Coast Region at the Governor’s Office on Monday 13th July 2020. 29 meetings were held at the district levels. In every district, the district chief or his representative hosted the meetings attended by the village heads (“Alkalolu”), crop and livestock owners and herders and the regional police commissioners to discuss the types of conflicts and means to mitigate and address the various issues related to access to water and grazing land for livestock. The team also utilized the community radios in the regions to communicate with the wider audiences through live broadcast.
Key issues of concern
Encroachment into cattle tracks and clearing of virgin lands for farming thus resulting in difficulties for cattle to access grazing and watering points as well as lack of effective control of the cattle resulting to destruction of crops have been highlighted as serious challenges and major threats to peace and stability in the country.
Suspected cases of poisoning of livestock was also been reported. In addition, cattle theft and illegal slaughtering were highlighted as serious problems affecting Livestock owners in Sandu and the Wulis in URR. Also, road accidents involving livestock, inadequate access to drinking water for cattle as well as insufficient veterinary personnel have also been raised as major concern for livestock owners.
Loss of confidence in the various district and government authorities to effectively address the persistent and reoccurring issues of encroachment into cattle tracks, forest parks and destruction of crops.
Speaking at the various meetings, Mr. Ebrima O Jallow, President, NaLOA, lamented what he described as lack of commitment to animal welfare in the country. He explained that there is an urgent need for tolerance and dialogue amongst crops and livestock owners in particular to help keep the peace and ensure uninterrupted crop production and the rearing of livestock in the country. He challenged the Alkalolu, livestock owners, crop farmers and district chiefs to meet regularly, discuss and address the issue of cattle tracts amicably for the achievement of national development targets. In addition, Mr. Jallow also implored on the security force particularly the police to assist the communities in areas of livestock security and road accidents involving livestock Mr. Jallow also expressed gratitude to FAO for facilitating the mission.
Ebou Jobe, Focal Point for the two projects “Addressing conflict over land and natural resources in the Gambia” and “Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change in The Gambia” at the Department of Livestock Servicescommended NaLOA and FAO for the initiative. He noted that the livestock sub-sector is an important contributor to the national economy while underlining the need for livestock to have access to grazing and water to enhance production and productivity.
Mr. Philip Gomez, Livestock Specialist at FAO Gambia explained that FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. “The Organizatiion’s goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives”, he said. He stated that FAO complements Government efforts for the achievement of sustainable development. He reminded participants that FAO’s mission and strategic objectives would not be met if the Agriculture and Natural Resources Sector including crop and livestock are not productive and sustainable. He therefore called for collective actions to develop both the crop and livestock sub-sectors – and to ‘Leave no one behind’.
The team paid a courtesy call on the Governor of CRR, Mr. Sheriff Aba Sanyang and the Deputy Governor of URR, Mr. Samba Bah during which they briefed them on the mission and appealed for their offices support to the initiative.
Both Messrs. Sanyang and Bah commended the FAO for supporting the activity to safeguard lives and livelihoods. They described the leading UN Food and Agriculture Organization as a “true partner” of The Gambian government and people. They both underscored the need for the welfare of animals to be prioritized by all and challenged both the departments of Agriculture and Livestock to work together to help address conflicts over land for agricultural production and productivity in the country. They reaffirmed their office’s support to the initiative.