In the drive to answer to President Jammeh’s “back to the land call” to address food self-sufficiency in the face of this looming global food crisis and the imminent surge in the rise of the price of food commodities, members of the State House Mosque Committee yesterday embarked on a massive clearing exercise on a five hectares farm land, behind the Yundum Barracks.

The proceeds of the farm, according to the committee, part of it is used for the State House annual “Gamo” and give the remaining to the needy, poor and they, themselves.

“Since the initiative of this activity, seven years ago, the committee grows only coos, but this year, they are coming with a difference in cultivating beans.”

Speaking at the farm, Abdoulie Fatty, State House Imam challenged the Gambian businessmen and women to venture in agricultural farming. He remarked that, let businessmen invest more in agriculture than building infrastures for hotels and bars. He said agriculture is the backborn of a nation.

Imam Fatty believe that the current date of food crisis that is looming around the world mostly in Africa, is due to the negligence of people trying to avert farming.

He recalled, on the olden days when, especially in the Gambia imported foods like rice are not consumed by most people, because to them, it is not ideal and clean for them. He used he opportunity to called on the youths to participate and engage fully in agriculture as it is the way to combat this looming menace. He challenge the youths and Muslims to embark on farming and dissociated themselves from the attitude of travelling to Europe for greener pasture. Citing that charity begins at home,” The Gambia has a vast land that is capable of feeding the whole nation, why not we grow crops that we can sell and feed on without importing them from Europe”, he emphasised.

Imam Fatty, urged the Gambian business community to set up initiatives to engage in agriculture for the development of Gambia, citing President Jammeh’s Farms and Al-Kharafi Farm in Kafuta as major projects that all Gambian businessmen should emulate.

For his part, Sergeant Sainey Camara, Amir of State House, thanked the State House Mosque Committee for their cooperation, he returns thanks to President Jammeh for giving them the courage and all support for the farming.

He said the proceeds from the farm, part of it are donate to Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, Jammeh Foundation for Peace Hospital, and part of it is used for their annual Gamo.

He said, since the start of farm, seven years ago the committee has been cooperatively working hard to contribute to national development, by donating the proceeds to the needy and hospitalise as enshrine by the holy Quran.

He called on youths to venture in farming as they are future leaders of tomorrow.

Amir Camara commended Shereign Modou Njie, the State House Army Commander for giving them logistic support in all their engagement.

Imam Dr Kebba Mbye Kah, Imam Seedia Ceesay and Alieu Mbye the former manager all expressed similar sentiment.