Back and Next - Back and NextMA Kharafi Farm - A model venture
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Under the leadership of President Yahya Jammeh, this country has been propelled into an orbit of development as numerous projects have been registered to the great benefit of Gambians.
Agriculture for one, has been put at the centre stage of this development process. Of course the president himself takes the lead in this regard with his numerous farms dotted around the country. There are other people who also continue to play a great role in this national goal of attaining food self-sufficiency, among them MA Kharafi.
Since its inception, the farm’s produce have been flooding into different markets in the country. Located in Kafuta and Kuloro, MA Kharafi Farm is gradually minimising importation of Irish potatoes and onions, commodities that had hardly been deemed viable for cultivation in this part of the world. The farm sells them at unbeatable prices.
In a chat with the Daily Observer, Cees Denboer, the farm manager for both Kafuta and Kuloro farms, told this reporter that they produced, this year, 5000 (five thousand) tons of Irish potatoes and onions, compared to last year, when they produced 1000 (one thousand) tons of these produces. Denboer chose to return the credit to the man behind the course of development, the Gambian leader, for his "influencing support." He said that MA Karafi Farm is working in partnership with Farm Fries, a Dutch company based in Holland.
According to him, their Kafuta farm covers an area of 200 (two hundred) hectares, but this year, 140 (one hundred and forty) hectares were put under cultivation, while Kuloro farm, despite its 230 (two hundred and thirty) hectares, has 60 (sixty) hectares under cultivation. He further stated that a small portion of the farm is used for vegetable production.
The MA Kharafi Farm manager however deplored the way marketing of vegetable products is conducted. Considering the fact that a vast majority of Gambian women are involved in this activity, there is a need, he said, to boost the sale of vegetables through a good marketing strategy.
He went on to explain that during the rainy season, they grow maize, but this, he added, is only meant for soil improvement. He disclosed that they are currently employing 300 (three hundred) Gambians, 90% of them residents of Kafuta and Kuloro with woman dominating. Although, he could not guarantee a halt to the importation of Irish potatoes and onions into the country, Cees Denboer, a Dutchman, indicated they are working on the expansion of the project, saying "probably within the next 3 years, we can be able to overcome the problem. I'm astonished by the reaction of the people in the market, they were very pleased with our products. We hope to bring a good variety of seeds that will be suitable for the climate," he said.
The 35-year old agricultural expert revealed that he has a good working relationship with Gambians. As an experienced expert who has worked in countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana, Denboer remains certain that The Gambia is "in the right path in achieving its objectives in food self-sufficiency."
Agriculture for one, has been put at the centre stage of this development process. Of course the president himself takes the lead in this regard with his numerous farms dotted around the country. There are other people who also continue to play a great role in this national goal of attaining food self-sufficiency, among them MA Kharafi.
Since its inception, the farm’s produce have been flooding into different markets in the country. Located in Kafuta and Kuloro, MA Kharafi Farm is gradually minimising importation of Irish potatoes and onions, commodities that had hardly been deemed viable for cultivation in this part of the world. The farm sells them at unbeatable prices.
In a chat with the Daily Observer, Cees Denboer, the farm manager for both Kafuta and Kuloro farms, told this reporter that they produced, this year, 5000 (five thousand) tons of Irish potatoes and onions, compared to last year, when they produced 1000 (one thousand) tons of these produces. Denboer chose to return the credit to the man behind the course of development, the Gambian leader, for his "influencing support." He said that MA Karafi Farm is working in partnership with Farm Fries, a Dutch company based in Holland.
According to him, their Kafuta farm covers an area of 200 (two hundred) hectares, but this year, 140 (one hundred and forty) hectares were put under cultivation, while Kuloro farm, despite its 230 (two hundred and thirty) hectares, has 60 (sixty) hectares under cultivation. He further stated that a small portion of the farm is used for vegetable production.
The MA Kharafi Farm manager however deplored the way marketing of vegetable products is conducted. Considering the fact that a vast majority of Gambian women are involved in this activity, there is a need, he said, to boost the sale of vegetables through a good marketing strategy.
He went on to explain that during the rainy season, they grow maize, but this, he added, is only meant for soil improvement. He disclosed that they are currently employing 300 (three hundred) Gambians, 90% of them residents of Kafuta and Kuloro with woman dominating. Although, he could not guarantee a halt to the importation of Irish potatoes and onions into the country, Cees Denboer, a Dutchman, indicated they are working on the expansion of the project, saying "probably within the next 3 years, we can be able to overcome the problem. I'm astonished by the reaction of the people in the market, they were very pleased with our products. We hope to bring a good variety of seeds that will be suitable for the climate," he said.
The 35-year old agricultural expert revealed that he has a good working relationship with Gambians. As an experienced expert who has worked in countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana, Denboer remains certain that The Gambia is "in the right path in achieving its objectives in food self-sufficiency."
Author: by Sheriff Barry
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