Gambia: Thematic group boosts activities of farmer organizations

The Thematic Group in Gambia is actively supporting the initiatives of one of the first farmer organizations in the country known as Gambian YAMPI Farmers Association (GAYFA) under the belief that farmers must be well organized and aware of their rights and responsibilities and willing to cooperate closely with each other on issues like marketing, credits and crop diversification.

The Gambian Thematic Group on Food Security and Rural Development has been active in the country since 1998, bringing together a variety of development partners including UN Agencies (FAO, WFP, UNICEF, UNV Unit and UNDP), NGO's (Catholic Relief Services, Action Aid The Gambia, The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and Concern Universal), the UK Department of International Development, the US Peace Corps, the European Development Fund, as well as representatives of the Department of State for Agriculture (chairman) and the National Nutrition Agency.

Gambian YAMPIs have started to develop divisional and district gardens/farms where promotion of agricultural production diversification will take place. In 2003, the TG assisted the YAMPIs in establishing a revolving fund to facilitate the land preparations in 6 divisional gardens. Good harvest in 2003 facilitated the repayment of those small loans, so that the revolving fund continues to assist the farmers also in the future.

GAYFA's future plans include the launching of a community radio service at Jenoi in order to give rural women their own voice and power to communicate freely on issues like agriculture, credit facilities, HIV/Aids etc. This initiative will be included in the Thematic Group's agenda for 2005.

The Gambian YAMPI Farmers association is inspired by the Indonesian Agricultural Community Foundation (YAMPI - Yayasan Amal Masyarakat Pertanian Indonesia) founded in 1993 to promote educational and social initiatives of "contact farmers" and their children to ensure a food-secure future for their families and communities.

For more information on the Thematic Group in Gambia, please read a synthesis of the group's activities prepared by Dr. Heimo Mikkola or contact the FAO representation in this country: FAO-GM@fao.org