Gambia receives $12 million grant to enhance agricultural productivity

The National Assembly on Wednesday ratified a grant financing agreement amounting to SDR4, 600, 000 [equivalent to US$12million] that was given to the Gambia government by the International Development Association for the financing of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP)-The Gambia project under the first phase of the WAAPP. Tabling the grant financing agreement before the National Assembly for ratification, Mamburay Njie, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, said the objective of the WAAP project is to generate and accelerate adaption of improved development of technology in participating countries for the enhancement of agricultural productivity. He explained that the project focus areas are in alignment with the sub-regional agricultural commodities priorities as outlined in the EOWAS agricultural programmes. Minister Njie said the project constitutes part of the first phase of the programme and consists of enabling conditions of the sub-regional cooperation in generation, dissemination and adaption of agricultural technologies; strengthening of the research system in the region as well as funding of the demand and driving technological generation through provision of research plan and project coordination and management, monitoring and evaluation.   Shortly after presenting the motion, Hon. Njie Darboe, the National Assembly member for Jarra Central moved the motion, and was supported by Hon. Borry Colley of Foni Jarrol.