The Taiwanese Technical mission in The Gambia yesterday organized an exhibition of vegetables such as carrots, cabbage and tomato at the newly built Agricultural Marketing Produce Centre in Banjulunding.

The event, which was the first of its kind to be hosted at the centre, attracted many people from different walks of life.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Patrick Chang, Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia gave a brief history of the centre.

According to him the centre was built at a cost of ten million Dalasis, adding that the project was jointly funded by the Taiwanese Technical mission, Action Aid The Gambia, and the Department of State for Agriculture.

He said the Centre would be used for agricultural marketing like this. “We welcome more people in contributing to agricultural development. We want to see more areas of land cultivated, ”he said.

Among other produce displayed was the fresh Gambian rice known as brown rice. This particular variety of rice according to Ambassador Chang is very useful for diabetes patients as it contains vitamin A.

Sulayman Trawally, permanent secretary at the Department of State for Agriculture, said the facilities of ‘this nature’ would encourage farmers to produce more products. He said it would also contribute towards the attainment of the country’s food self- sufficiency programme.

He thanked the Taiwanese government for their continued support to The Gambia in almost all sectors of development.

Mrs. Naffie Barry, deputy permanent secretary at the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment expressed similar sentiments.

Kadija Sambou, President Banjulunding Women Farmers, applauded the Technical mission for serving as a relief for them. She also thanked President Jammeh for empowering Gambian women.