Gambia- Jammeh unveils expansion plans for Jahally-Pacharr fields

The Jahally and Pacharr rice field projects took off in 1983-84 with a total land area of 1392 at the time – 545 hectares for pump irrigation, 703 hectares for tidal and 144 hectares of improved rain-fed land.

The Pacharr swamps, covering about 1105 hectares, was more or less in its natural state, and comprises two distinct swamp areas located seven kilometers apart on the southern banks of the River Gambia. 

But with this eminent expansion strategy, the Gambian leader is optimistic that production will significantly increase, thus boosting the national rice self-sufficiency objective. “The potentials here are greater than all the other places we have visited so far,” the president observed.

Even though some work has already been executed using tidal irrigation in some parts of this land, the president deems it necessary to expand that scope and improve it. He said his government is committed to creating a reliable and dependable irrigation system that would boost all-year-round agricultural production in The Gambia. 

He was however impressed with the fact that, one hectare of cultivated land, produces about six tonnes of rice at every harvest period.  “We have fertile lands and I see no reason why The Gambia should be importing rice when our land is very fertile. We must feed ourselves,” the president emphasised.

Other visits

Prior to the Jahally-Pacharr visit, the Gambian leader and delegation also inspected rice fields in Wally Kunda and the Nerica Growers Association of Boiram respectively, all in the Lower Fulladu District. 

At Boiram, the president indicated his intention to expand the field currently being cultivated mainly by women. He recommended for the expansion of the land from its initial size of 315 hectares to about five kilometers. “I don’t want us to start work here and later realise that it is not adequate. So we should increase the size to at least five kilometers,” he concluded.