The rice growers in Niani District are appealing to government for urgent assistance to gain access to their rice fields, which are located behind two hills which make it difficult for them to have access to the fields.

The fields situated at Gentehburr are shared by over twenty villages under Nyanga Bantang Ward in Niani District, Central River Region North. The villages include Gentaburr, Dingeria, Ferrdousey, Ndawen, Kass Fulla, Kass Wollof, Kass Prom, Njoben Fulla, Njoben Tukurror, Sinchu Ndawen, Nyakoi, Maka Gui, Tuba Mbackeh, Jallow Kunda Demba, Jallow Kunda Mat, Jallow kunda Sering, Kerewan Sabally, Njoben Wollof, Ramatoulie, Madina Njien, Kass Yalal Fulla, and Kass Yalal Wollof.

According to Pierre Bah, the chief of Niani, the district is a major rice cultivating area and if these villages get access to their fields, the rice production will greatly increase. According to him, the solution to food crises in this country is to respond to the clarion call of President Jammeh. 

“The people of Niani are committed and hard working and if they are assisted with some of their needs, they will enhance food self-sufficiency in the area,” he said.

Samba Chummeh Bah, the coordinator of the rice growers in the area, said, in order to achieve food self-sufficiency, one has to produce crops which are high-yielding varieties.

  He noted that rice is the staple crop in The Gambia and cultivating it will increase household food security in the area.  He added “if this hills are degraded, growers will have access to their rice fields which will greatly help increase the production and productivity of rice in the district”.