President Barrow presents millions of dalasis chaques to youth, women venturing in agriculture

On the second day of the 2024 Meet the People’s Tour in the North Bank Region, President Adama Barrow held two general meetings, beginning with Kerr Ardo in the Central Baddibu District.

To promote agricultural development in The Gambia, the President presented a cheque of 15 million Dalasis in matching grants to 43 youths, both male and female, who are venturing into agriculture. These recipients are engaged in maize, rice, cashew, and poultry projects aimed at boosting food security, increasing income, and improving livelihoods across the country. This support aligns with the Barrow Government’s policy to encourage agriculture as a viable business venture.

President Barrow announced that the government had purchased 180 tractors for farmers. He stated that these tractors would be distributed to farmers at subsidized rates, with the government covering 25% of the cost. This initiative is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen large-scale farming, enhance food security, and reduce the poverty rate in the country.

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Additionally, the Programme for Accelerated Community Development (PACD), in partnership with UNDP, has procured five groundnut threshing machines and five tractors this year.

During the joint meeting at Kerr Ardo for Lower and Central Badibou, His Excellency presented a cheque for 21 million Dalasis to 204 women in these constituencies. This initiative aims to make financial resources accessible to women and empower them economically.

Key elements of President Barrow’s development initiatives include:

– The construction of nearly 4,500 brand-new modern classrooms and the refurbishment of more than 2,000 classrooms across the country to increase access to education for all.

– The announcement that over 218 communities in the North Bank Region will be electrified as part of the government’s program for universal access to electricity by the end of 2025.

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