During the period between July 25th to August 6th ,2018, Professor Liu Guodao, Vice President of CATAS led a delegation consisting of 9 scientists from CATAS to The Republic of Gambia for conducting field feasibility study for an agricultural technical assistance project from China to The Gambia. This is the first agricultural technical team sent by China to The Gambia in the two years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Gambia. The technical assistance project is believed to help deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture between China and The Gambia and to relieve food safety problem in The Gambia.
CATAS technical team briefing TA Agricultural Project to officials of Ministry of Agriculture, The Gambia
For better carrying out the missioned feasibility study, CATAS technical team visited successively the Embassy of China in The Gambia and the Ministry of Agriculture, The Gambia , before going down to agricultural processing base and farmlands of villages for on-the-spot investigations and data recording so as to gain a better picture of Gambian farmers needs and agricultural development status of The Gambia as a whole.
The delegation of CATAS were received with great hospitality by the Chinese Embassy and Commercial Office of China in Gambia. His Excellency, Zhang Jiming, Ambassador of China to The Gambia pointed out that the Chinese Government has laid special emphasis on agricultural industry since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and The Gambia. It is of great implications for CATAS technical team as the first agricultural technical group to make feasibility study on agricultural technical assistance project in Gambia, the delegation of CATAS was expected to introduce some improved crop varieties, technology and machinery based on the feasibility study findings to promote the rapid development of Gambian agriculture.
His Excellency, Mr. Omar, Minister of Ministry of Agriculture, The Gambia showed his warm welcome to the delegation of CATAS, he reviewed the historical origin of bilateral agricultural cooperation between the two countries, and expressed the expectations for the agricultural technical assistance project, and was willing to provide all-round support for the successful implementation of the project.
Glove-in-hand cooperation between CATAS Experts and Agricultural Officials of The Gambia
The delegation of experts visited successively 31 proposed project sites in provinces such as North Bank, Central River, Upper River, and other provinces to carry out on-the-spot inspection. Through communication with local governments, farmers needs survey, market inspection, the delegation formed a very clear idea about the local crop variety characteristics, technical capability, market supply and demand, and agricultural machinery and equipment. The hard works and efforts of the delegation were highly recognized and appreciated by the government and people of The Gambia.
Investigation on Crop Planting
