FAO Gambia hosts a delegation of Liberian farmers on a study tour
14 June 2022, Banjul – Two farmers and an Agriculture Extension Worker from Liberia have concluded a week-long study tour in The Gambia. The journey funded by FAO Liberia aims to foster the learning of best agricultural practices between farmers. During the study tour, the delegation visited and held interactive discussions with vegetable farmers at FAO funded gardens in Njoben in Central River Region, Kuwonkuba in the Upper River Region and Kunjo in North Bank Region.
Their discussions centered on the composition of membership in the gardens, management structures, regulations, marketing, successes and challenges. The host farmers were open and forthcoming in sharing their experiences. They highlighted their strengths and weakness and pointed out potential challenges their counterparts may encounter. The guest farmers also shared their knowledge and experiences, suggested some ideas for their hosts to try out and invited them to visit Liberia to learn from them too. The delegation also visited the Gambia Songhai Centre, the Banjulinding and Sukuta Women's gardens and interacted with the farmers.
As part of the tour, the delegation also paid a courtesy call on Fatou Jammeh Touray, Ministry of Agriculture Deputy Permanent Secretary for Projects and Programs and Demba Sanyang, Director General, Department of Agriculture. Additionally, they paid a courtesy call at the Department of Agriculture Horticulture Technical Services and visited the drip irrigation garden in Nyofelleh in the West Coast Region.
Ezikiel P. Sayete, one of the farmers from Liberia, said that he was very impressed with what he saw and learned during the journey. "I am particularly impressed by the sense of ownership and unity among the farmers. I have learned new things I will introduce with my cooperation back home", he noted.
Weedor Cegbe, the agriculture extension worker, noted that she has seen a lot of similarities in the agricultural practices but was particularly impressed with the strict use of organic manure in all the gardens. "The Farmer Field School program in The Gambia has introduced new farming techniques and ensured farmers learn to make and use only compost in their beds," she said.
Annie Jonathan, a representative of a farmers' organization, said that the study had been a success. They have learned a lot from the Gambia experience. "We will share the knowledge obtained with our respective beneficiary communities in addition to establishing leadership and adoption of management practices at our gardens", she said.
Background
FAO Liberia adopted the model garden approach to integrating poultry and vegetable productions. Under its projects, farmers have been trained on improved vegetable, and poultry production whilst civil and irrigation works are being completed. To prepare the producers for the gardens' set-up, management, and operations, FAO Liberia sought support from FAO Gambia to undertake a week-long study tour to the Gambia. The delegation of three included an Agriculture Extension Worker, a chairperson of a farmers' Cooperative and a farmers' organization representative. It is anticipated that knowledge and skills will be shared with respective communities and lead to the full establishment of leadership and adoption of management practices.