By Mustapha Jallow
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) on Tuesday donated four (4) Threshing Machines to farmers in the Central River Region of The Gambia.
The donation was aimed at enhancing the efficiency in food production in The Gambia.
TIKA handed over the four thresher machines to farmers in CRR through the Governor of the region at a colorful ceremony held on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at the Governor’s office in CRR.
Officials say the machines donated by TIKA will be used in processing groundnut and millet with the objective of mitigating post-harvest losses.
The handing over ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to The Gambia H.E Tolga Bermek, Governor of CRR Sheriff Abba Sanyang, the Coordinator of TIKA Banjul Office Mr. Mehmet Akif Eyigun, chiefs of districts in CRR and the regional directors of agriculture and health respectively.
Delivering his speech, Turkish Ambassador H.E Tolga Bermek, reiterated the brotherly relations between Turkey and The Gambia which he said, is bearing fruits of strong cooperation between the two countries in many areas.
He said TIKA’s donation was timely because it is in response to the hardship farmers in CRR have been grappling with. He thanked TIKA for the donation and hoped such support will continue with a broader scope in The Gambia.
The Coordinator of TIKA Banjul Office, Mr. Mehmet Akif Eyigun, said this is not the first time CRR is benefiting from TIKA’s support.
He said under the Covid-19 Mitigation Project initiated by TIKA Banjul Office, CRR benefited from hand washing facilities, face masks, and food items. He thanked the Governor of CRR for the mutual cooperation and expressed his hope that the donated machines will be put into good use.
The Governor of CRR, Sheriff Abba Sanyang said before the coming of the four machines, farmers in his region relied on machines coming from Senegal to thresh their groundnut and millet.
He said without any doubt, the thresher machines will ensure efficiency in the processing of groundnut and millet in CRR. He also extended his profound gratitude to TIKA and promised that the donated machines will be handled with utmost care.
