Farmers are in the advanced stage of their preparation ahead of the raining season.

Thousands of farmers in the provinces have cleared their farm lands and taken all the necessary measures for a smooth and crisis-free farming season this year.

Others have sowed coos grains (millets) in order to ease the burden of work before the raining season starts.

Our reporter, Adama Makasuba, was in the North Bank Region of the county to gauge the farmers level of preparation.

Omar Bah, a farmer, told Gambiana that they hoped for a better farming season this year, adding that they depended on their farms for their livelihoods.   

Mr Bah, who is the breadwinner of his family as most of his younger siblings are in full time education, said he has sowed his coos grains at the moment and is waiting for the raining season to begin for him to sow his groundnut seeds.  

“We will need government help in providing us with seedlings and fertilisers and help in purchasing our farmer produces,” he implored.   

Another farmer, Tapha Jah also expressed hope for a successful farming season this year.

Mr Jah, equally called on government to assist them (farmers) with farming materials like seedlings and fertilisers.

Modou Dumbuya, also a farmer,  echoed similar remarks about the need for government to help farmers with farming equipment, seedlings and fertilisers.

“I assure you that once the agriculture sector is truly supported, it will help to address many of the challenges we face in this country,” Mr Dumbuya said.

The Gambia is a tiny nation found in West of Africa that home to about two million people.

And 60 per cent of its population lives on subsistent farming.

Agriculture is a major contributor to the Gambia’s economy and was responsible for more than 50 per cent of the country’s economic growth.

But the past groundnuts purchasing seasons have been marred by lots of controversies such as expired fertilisers and delayed payment on the part of government.

Meanwhile the government has reassured the farming community of its support and pledged to help them in having a successful farming season this year.

Last month the Gambia government promised the farmers that they would be provided with over 800 tons of fertiliser, seedlings and farming equipment before the starts of this year’s farming season.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba