Thursday, November 17, 2016

FAO`s contributions towardsthe eradication of food insecurity, poverty and poverty in the Gambia extolled



 
10 November, 2016, Banjul – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today signed three letters of Agreement (LoAs) amounting to GMD6,632,374.75 (six millions, six hundred and thirty-two thousand, three hundred and seventy-four dalasi and seventy-five bututs) with three institutions for the implementation of specific activities under the Action Against Deforestation Project. 

The Department of Forestry received DGM3, 658,012.55, the Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC) received GMD933, 183.20 and the Natural Resources Consulting (NACO) received GMD2, 041,179.00. 

The forestry department also received three motor bikes over D370,000and  2 cameras and 3 GPS.Each institution also received a laptop to facilitate implementation. 


Alagie Manjang,Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources presided over the signing ceremony at the FAO Office in Fajara.

The four-year EU funded Euros1.5m is being implemented the three institutions and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Educationin close partnership with FAO.  in the North Bank Region and Central River and Upper River Regions North.The overall objective of the project is to contribute to poverty alleviation, the eradication of hunger and improving resilience to climate change, through sustainable management of land and forest resources. The project will help to improvethe condition and productivity of the agro-sylvo-pastoral landscapes measuring about589, 000 hectaresaffected by Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) in the intervention sites.About 390,283 inhabitants within these regions (203,950 females and 186,329 males) who depend highly on forest resources for their livelihood will benefit directly from the project.

In his remarks, Mr. Alagie Manjangexpressed appreciation of FAO`s contributions towards the eradication of food insecurity and poverty in the Gambia.Mr. Manjang acknowledged the importance of the project towards the achievement of set targets in poverty reduction and development. He also recognized the efforts of the project implementing partners and challenged them to work according to the governance structure and to measure up to expectations.

Dr. Perpetua Katepa-Kalala, FAO Country Representative explained that all partners have a critical role to play for the successful implementation of the intervention. She encouraged them to be results oriented and to work through the governance structures outlined in the project document. ‘‘We very much rely on the leadership of our government partners in the project implementation’’, she stressed, while restating FAO`s continued support at all times.

Speaking on behalf of the Non-State actors, Kanimang Camara, Director of NACOalso lauded FAO`s ‘consistent and remarkable’ support to the Agriculture and Natural Resources sectors over the years. He assured that they will live up to expectations.

For more information please contact:
Amadou Bah | Communications Officer | FAO Gambia | amadougalo.bah@fao.org

No comments: