By:Modou Touray
A two-day general meeting of Farmers Pharmacy ended at the River View Organic Farm in Siffoe with dozens of farming from the length and breadth of the Gambia in attendance.
The theme for the convergence is Sixty Years of Growth: Uniting Farmers for Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Food self-sufficiency
The meeting is not only to learn organic farming methods but also a forum to elect pending executive positions as well as interact with each other.
The executive members include President Abdou Rahim Pa Cole,1st Vice President Fatou Touray,2nd Vice President Nyenemang Danso, Secretary General Odile Gomez, and Secretary Sang Wisdom Mendy, among other positions. Regional representatives were also elected, as well as the diaspora reps.
Mr Abdou Rahim Cole, the president of the Association, said it’s easier for farmers to achieve their dreams if they come together in a single body.
“It’s only farming that can move the country forward, but we can not do it alone, but together, we can do it.”
Mr Tahiru Colley, who delved into the genesis of the Association, noted that the Farmers Pharmacy is a Senegal brand that was trading in seeds, fertilizers and other materials essential to farming. He said the Gambia embraced it in a different dimension focusing on the organic concept of farming.
Day 2 of the general meeting chaired by Sang Mendy, the Assistant Secretary General of the Farmers Pharmacy, focused on producing organic manure. These natural fertilizers and plant boosters play a crucial role in improving soil fertility, enhancing plant growth, and promoting chemical-free agriculture.
Organic farming is said to be an n environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to chemical fertilizers. The practical organic manure demonstration highlighted how these organic solutions contribute to soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce dependence on synthetic agricultural inputs.
Members of the Farmers Pharmacy had the opportunity to observe and actively engage in the step-by-step preparation of organic fertilizers, equipping them with hands-on experience to apply in their communal gardens
This initiative is part of a broader effort to empower its members by fostering self-sufficiency and sustainability in their agricultural practices. By integrating organic methods into their farming, these farmers not only enhance food security but also contribute to a healthier ecosystem and a more resilient local economy.
Meanwhile, Mr David Gomez, while speaking on Agric business, emphasized that farm owners must be practically involved in farming activities and constant monitoring of workers.
” For you to maximize profits in farming, it’s not only about having the capital to start up an agricultural activity”
After the conclave, members brainstormed on recommendations for the growth of the Association, which includes constant training, quarterly meetings, and members dues, among others.
