The Gambia rice growers association in collaboration with The Gambia Emergency Agricultural Production Project (GEAPP) on their country wide tour has on Sunday met rice growers in URR at the plant protection office in Mansajang Kunda.
The aim of the tour is to sensitise GEAPP beneficiaries on how to sustain some of the benefits gained from the project and to be part of The Gambia rice growers association.  
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Peter Baldeh, secretary general of the association said the association was formed in  June 2011, adding that anyone involved in rice growing should be part of the association .
He called on the farmers to fully participate in the association activities to drive poverty in the country.
For his part, Sambou Dampha, 1st vice president underscores the important of food security noting that poverty is reduce if people are not hungry. He therefore assured the government commitment in helping farmers to enhance food security.
Mr. Dampha added that if rice growers have a strong association with view to fighting hunger the government will ensure all necessary help afford for farmers. He called on them to see one another as one working together to eat what we grow. He said the association desire is also to give rice supply to the outside world if target are to be fulfill.
For his part, Alhagie Mboge, the program coordinator said the tour is also part of identifying the constraints of farmers which later will be tabled, adding that Gambian farmers are committed. He urged them to redouble their efforts to achieve food security.
He also thanked URR rice growers for their efforts. He  called on the members to acquire the membership card for easy identification, adding that those with membership card will be considered first.  
Also speaking, Mustapha Sanneh, plant protection series in URR said the bringing of rice growers under one umbrella is very significant, noting that this will foster understanding amongst the rice farmers in the country. He underscored the role The Gambia Emergency Agricultural Production Project does in URR in fighting food security.
 He added that over 149 villages in URR benefitted from GEAPP by having seeds, fertilizers, and farming implements to the URR famers.  
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Nemuna Camara thanked the executive of the rice association for viewing to bring all rice growers into one umbrella. She also thanked the management of GEAPP, saying that since its inception anything that belongs to the farmers always   reach them on time.
 She also pointed out the  low rainfall of 2011, noting that if that was not the case, URR will not buy rice and will donate rice to outsiders.
She calls on government to bring GEAPP project back because she has never seen any project that helps farmers as GEAPP.
She said that the farming implements GEAPP gave out are in good condition and they will make good use, while calling on the government to help them with their case.  
She called on fellow farmers to pray for the government and GEAPP project and urged them to work as one for food sustainability.
The president of the association, Alhaji Kibili Jaguraga said the motto for the association is “grow what we eat and eat what we grow.” He called on the farmers to join hands with government to achieve food security.