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of the African Virtual University-Indiana University of Pennsylvania Partnership.

The African Star

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FAO launches $2000 fish  project

Yampi- a local farmer grouping, last week launched a fish farmer project in Tumani Fatty village, in the central river division. The project is aimed at reducing the rural poor and also to encourage the young people to participate in the development of their communities.

This one-year project, estimated at US$ 2,000, was signed between the Yampi Farmers Association and FAO the UN food and agriculture organisation.

In his speech  to launch the  programme, the secretary general of the YFA, Raphael Jawo said he was happy that the FAO has finally agreed to help the rural communities by providing them with a fishpond.

He noted that if all goes as planned the people will realise a tremendous profit before the end of the year . Jawo pointed out that his association intends to promote fish farming in The Gambia where so far onlya  few people are engaged in it.  He expressed optimism that poverty would soon be a thing of the past, adding that proceeds from the farm will be set-aside for the development of the village.

Tumani Fatty is more than three kilometers from the capital, Banjul. It is located along the south bank of the river Gambia, with a population of 200 people. The villagers depend on farming to eke out a living, some people are engaged in fishing and small- scale business.

This is the first time such a project is undertaken there.

Jawo said  the people are grateful to FAO: ‘ I think those in the city are beginning to remember that those in the villages also matter. And let me say that all the people in this community are grateful to FAO for providing us a fishpond’ said Ba Demba, the Alkalo of the village during the launching of the project.

The FAO is poised to help rural communities with the idea of developing fish farms, Tumani Fatty is the first village in the Gambia to establish one and FAO is using it as a litmus test.