By Mustapha Darboe
Assessment done by the Ministry of Agriculture has revealed that the country’s total agricultural production for the 2017 crop season could drop by 26% compared to 2016 (from 284, 532 to 184, 913 metric ton).
The Gambia has seen an uneven distribution of rainfall this year which officials said has hugely impacted on the crops.
A ministerial task force that was established by the agriculture ministry has already presented its findings on the season to the minister and other UN partners, the minister has said.
“The reduction is attributed to amongst other reasons to the long dry spell observed in September through November. This has adversely affected major crops grown in the country,” agriculture minister Omar Jallow told The Standard.
Minister Jallow further told The Standard that they are yet to confirm if there is need to declare emergency food crisis but certain households will be in need of food aid.
The task force report has projected that about 40 thousand people could face food insecurity while a staggering 350, 000 will face a potential food crisis situation.
“In the projected period from June to August 2018, about 41, 241 people may switch to food insecurity. While 353, 703 people may be facing a situation of under pressure,” the report by the task force added.
The report has advised Government to engage partners on resource mobilization to support those in crisis.
