The Gambia like any other West African state is fit to be declared a crop failed country. Rains were expected since June 15 2014 but to date; it looks like we are still in dry season. There has not been any serious rain to be considered a start of the rains. The ActionAid International Gambia, which has a focus on agriculture, has its Kundang office team out and about in the three main districts; Niamina East, Dankunku, and Niamina West to see how the rains are doing in their respective areas. Below is a full text of their report.
Introduction:
On Sunday, 3rd August 2014, ActionAid kundag office Local Rights Programme( LRP) Manager Bakary Fadera and Sponsorship Field Coordinato, StayNjie conducted a field visit /spot checking of the rainfall on the farm lands since the commencement of the raining season. The exercise took us to Niamina West, Dankunku and Niamina East districts. The methodology used during the exercise was observations and interview with Farmers, Apex Executives the 3 Chiefs of the 3 districts and Agric Extension Workers. This is summary report of the findings of the Team:
In Niamina East District:
Based on the Team’s observation, in Niamina East district, there were few spots where plant growth mainly early millet looks green. These areas are Mamudfana & Bamba kolong in Bambakolong Cluster, Jockul in Jareng Cluster, Kaolong and Sinchu Gundo in Pateh Sam Cluster.
The worst hit areas/little or no plant growth in farm land were observed in: Kudang Cluster, Jareng, Sambel kunda, and Tenengfara Clusters
In Niamina West district, the few green spots are farm lands in Choya and Demba kunda in Mali kunda Cluster.
The worst hit areas/few or no plant growth were observed in farm lands around Nanas, Dalaba in Nana Cluster, Sare seydou and Jamara in Papa Cluster.
In Dankunku district, few green spots were found in farm lands around Buniadu village in Dankunku Cluster and Papa village in Papa Cluster.
The worst hit areas/ few or no plant growth were observed around Dankunku Cluster, Gissadi and Babu Jobe Cluster.The Team has also observed that in worst hit spots in Dankunku district, most animals still do not have grass to feed on. During field visit, the Team has not also seen any maize farm.
An interview with the 3 Chiefs, 3 Apex Executive Members, revealed that generally plant growth is very bad for ground nut, rice and maize. According to the Chief of Niamina West Mr Ngai Dampha, said, “for me I have still not sown my groundnut seed and today the 3rd of August, there is very little rainfall. There are a lot of Farmers like me who still did not sow their groundnut seeds” the Chief said. It is only early millet which seemed to be doing better specifically for those who were lucky to have little moisture early. Farmers still have their ground nuts and rice seed still not sowed. According to Farmers, most of them are completely discouraged, to the extent that some of them have now resorted to selling their seeds.
According to the Agric Extensionists based in Dankunku and Mamudfana, generally rainfall this year ( (in the months of June, July ) were far below compared to last year( June, July 2013). The Extensionists informed the Team that the advice they give to farmers regarding groundnuts is for them to still carry on sowing their groundnut seeds. The benefit for farmers in this is 1, if they are not lucky to have groundnut (pod) seed, they can have hay as feed for their animals.
Reflections of the Team
To the Team, the little rain that fell since the commencement of the rain was sporadic and where it fell, it was with little moisture. In some areas plants have started to wilt and this is more pronounced in areas with few use of animal manure. Unless, the pattern of rainfall changes from now onwards or else the 2014 farming season is highly probable to result in crop failure for the 3 Districts of Niaminas. We are recommending to AAITG SMT to conduct a detail assessment if the rainfall pattern did not change by mid-August.
Source:Thedailynews