The National Women Farmers Association (NAWFA) has embarked on a massive land campaign for women farmers, says Mr Njag Jawo, the association’s Executive Director.

Speaking at a press conference in Jenoi, Jarra West district in the Lower River Region, Mr Jawo said that his association comprises 48, 000 women in 74 clusters, and operates in 1074 villages countrywide.

According to him, the association was formed to advocate for the rights and needs of women farmers in the Gambia.

“We promote the social and economic empowerment of women farmers through the production, processing and marketing of agricultural produce for both crops and livestock”, he said, adding that they also advocate for women’s rights, particularly in agriculture.

He noted that they also support health in the prevention of malaria, HIV/AIDS and others. This, he stressed, “can only be attained if access and enabling environment is given to use land”.

Mr Jawo also revealed that since the beginning of this year, his association has embarked on a series of activities in trying to campaign through regional, district and village consultative meetings together with governors, chiefs, alkalolu, land owners, beneficiaries and collaborators.

Jawo also outlined that their main emphasis will be promoting land advocacy for women farmers to grow sesame, maize and rice for the provision of food for both human, poultry and livestock industry. He said his association would also encourage farmers to make choices of crops that they want to grow.