Prezy’s sesame farm harvested

The chief of Jokadu, Alhaji Jim Fatma Jobe, has hailed the nine communities of Jokadu in the North Bank Region for their efforts in cultivating the massive farm land of the Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, which resulted to the harvesting of 25 bags of sesame. The farming was done at Jamagen village.

Chief Jim Fatma Jobe was speaking during an interview with this reporter at Kerr Jariga Jobe. He underscored the importance of supporting the president’s back-to-the-land initiative, as that is the only sure route to attaining food self-sufficiency. He applauded his people for their efforts in that direction, saying that the cultivation of the 4-hectare sesame farm is a clear testimony of their support to the APRC party, and that it also demonstrates their loyalty to the government of The Gambia and its leadership.

The chief also used the opportunity to call on his people to settle their rates and taxes on time to enable the Kerewan Area Council to undertake its development tasks. The Alkalo of Jamagen - Mayoro Leigh, Buba Sowe of Kerr Samba Chajie and Ndey Jallow -APRC women’s councilor for Jokadu, all commended the nine communities for their large turnout over the weekend, to thresh the sesame produce. This, they said, clearly demonstrates the total unity and cooperation among the communities.

The elders used the occasion to thank the Alkalo of Jamagen, Mayoro Leigh, for providing them with the land, and the chief and National Assembly member for their valuable contributions towards the success of the farm. The representatives of the communities also thanked the National Women Farmers Association (NAWFA) for providing them with the sesame seeds, and they urged other institutions and organizations to support the initiative.

Omar Ndow, Alkalo of Kerr Selleh, called on the people of Jokadu to desist from practices that lead to the outbreak of bush fires. He advised them to establish bush belts around their villages as a preventive measure against bush fires. He alluded to the frequent outbreak of bush fire as another factor responsible for the destruction of the soil cover and natural vegetation, a phenomenon he said also contributes to the poor health status of animals.

For his part, Cherno Ndure, Alkalo of Kerr Ngoryan called on the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education to assist their school going children by providing them with transportation facilities. He also called on them to continue providing them with adequate trained teachers to enable their children to acquire relevant and quality education. The farmers of Jokadu also appealed to the government to assist them with affordable fertilizer and pesticide to enhance their production capacity.