Floods devastate Pacharr rice fields, farmers appeal to President Barrow for urgent support

A catastrophic flood has wreaked havoc on the Pacharr rice fields, leaving farmers in Jahally Pacharr grappling with significant losses.

During his #MeetThePeopleTour2024, President Adama Barrow visited the affected area to assess the extent of the damage and hear directly from those impacted.

Musa Darboe, the owner of Marou Farms, informed the president that the disaster could result in the loss of up to 80,000 bags of rice. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, which has disrupted agricultural production in the region.

One farmer, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, acknowledged that they had received substantial support through initiatives like ploughing services, fertilizers, and seeds. “However, the flood was a natural disaster beyond our control,” he lamented, appealing to the government for immediate assistance.

The ROOTS project had recently supported the farmers in purchasing four new tractors, with plans to acquire two more. Unfortunately, the flood struck before they could capitalize on this investment, leaving the rice fields devastated.

President Barrow expressed his concern and pledged to prioritize the plight of the farmers. “My government will evaluate the situation and determine the best way to assist those affected,” he assured during his visit.

The disaster highlights the vulnerability of agricultural communities to climate-related challenges and underscores the need for robust disaster preparedness strategies. For the farmers in Pacharr, immediate support and long-term resilience planning will be essential to recover from this setback.