By Alhagie Babou Jallow
The National Assembly Select Committee on agriculture Thursday visited the National Agricultural Research Institute trial fields in Brikama and Old Yundum, West Coast Region.
The visit was meant to get firsthand information about progress and challenges the institution faces following the presentation of 2015/2016 activities and financial report by the director general Ansumana Jarjue and his financial controller.
The delegation was taken on a conducted tour to various labs at the institute ranging from soil testing lab, food chemistry lab, pest management lab, horticultural unit.
Speaking to journalists, the chairman of the Committee Momodou Ceesay and National Assembly member for Janjangbury, said the visit was to assess the work and see by themselves the ongoing work at the institute.
“I want them to know this committee is not witch-hunting anyone but to work together as one people to improve agriculture for the betterment of all,” he said.
The National Assembly Member for Fulladu West Alhagie Bardor, reiterated the new government’s commitment in supporting farmers to ensure food self-sufficiency in the country.
He said in supporting agriculture all hands must be on deck particularly the stakeholders in agriculture.
Honorable Dembo Camara, National Assembly Member for Illiasa Constituency, said agriculture is among government’s top priorities.
Saihou Omarr Tall, chairman of the board of directors, NARI and national consultant on agriculture research and development, told the committee that NARI used to be one of the best research centers. He said some years ago many countries would send their students for studies but they now lack sufficient equipment.
