By Olimatou Coker
The Government of the Gambia through the Food and Agricultural Organisation has received 5 Million Euros—D275 Million—four year project from the European Union to improve food security and nutrition in the country.
On Tuesday, a set of items was handed over to various institutions involved in its implementation.
The items included 3 vehicles, 6 motorbikes, 7 laptops that will be used in the implementation of the project.
The project, according to officials, implemented in the North Bank Region, Central River Region north and south, and Banjul is aimed at improving nutrition and health outcome of vulnerable women and children in the Gambia.
The beneficiary institutions of the items donated include the regional agriculture and livestock directorates in NBR, CRR North and South, the food technology services under the department of Agriculture, the directorate of health promotion and education under MOHSW, the National Nutrition Agency, National Agricultural Research Institute and the food safety and Quality authority.
Speaking at the ceremony, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Adama Ngum-Njie, said this project will help increase food security and will eradicate hunger through a collective effort to the agricultural sub sector.
She therefore thanked EU for their support.
The FAO representative in the Gambia, Perpetua Katepa-Kalala, said: “Let me acknowledge the European Union for their financial support, joining FAO and other United Nation agencies and other partners in supporting government’s efforts to enhance nutrition and food security in The Gambia.”
“We are grateful for the fruitful relationship which FAO and the rest of the UN enjoys with its government partners and take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to working hand in hand with you, supporting government efforts to harness to tremendous potential of this country to eradicate malnutrition and hunger and welcome prosperity for all Gambians,” she added.
Other speakers included project manager EUD, Darrell Sexstone and Ansumana Jarju, director general of NARI who received the items.
