Gambia capable of producing million tonnes of rice

RICE as a staple food in Gambia is mainly imported from Asia (Photo credit: Facts and Details)

The Gambia has the potential to produce more than two million tonnes of rice yearly, it’s President and leading farmer, Yahya Jammeh has said.

Two weeks ago, Jammeh announced his government’s plan to initiate an all-year rice production scheme that could further efforts to attaining food self-sufficiency. We must feed ourselves, he said of The Gambia, which is endowed with land and fresh water.

Jammeh had since last year vowed to ban the importation of rice, a staple, into the West African country by 2016. He is touring the country on his annual ‘meet-the-people-tour’ with an idea of a “Vision 2016 Rice Self-sufficiency Agenda.”

Pres. Jammeh: We must feed ourselves

RICE as a staple food in Gambia is mainly imported from Asia (Photo credit: Facts and Details)

“We must feed ourselves,” President Yaya Jammeh said of his country, The Gambia, which is endowed with land and fresh water.

Jammeh has said his government plans to initiate an all-year round rice production scheme that could further efforts to attaining food self-sufficiency.

“The all-year-round rice production would not only ensure that there is enough food for local consumption, but surplus for export to other countries,” Mr Jammeh said in the Central River Region according to state media reports.

Jammeh to ban import of basic foods ‘without fail’

RICE as a staple food in Gambia is mainly imported from Asia (Photo credit: Facts and Details)

The President of The Gambia has said he is “determined to end importation of basic food items by 2016 without fail.”

“Our traditional Gambian dishes or foods are being replaced by unhealthy, and for most Muslims, haram junk food being imported into this country,” Yahya Jammeh said on the eve of The Gambia’s 49^th independence anniversary of February 18. “This dangerous trend must end.” 

In June 2013, President Jammeh announced his government would ban the importation of rice into the country by 2016.