Marie Kargbo leader of a 54 member group in Gbalamuya in the Kambia District has stated that she has been receiving full government support for the 10 acre land where she cultivates rice.
Unlike other farmers who complain that they have not been getting support from the government Marie Kargbo who is the Chairlady of the APC women’s wing in Kambia disclosed that before now life for farmers had been very difficult because they did not receive any support from the past government. She maintained that now rice production has been fruitful as they have been receiving supply for the government ranging from seed rice, power tillers, fertilizers and pestilence.
Marie said that in the past they had to credit seed rice from farmers in exchange for palm oil “But now the government has considered the farmers and they have started giving us seed rice.
These seed rice have been distributed according to the various wards these are ward 134 and 135 which are Lower and upper Gbele Dixson.”
She disclosed that “45 bushel was distributed to these wards and for my group we have been supplied with 20 bushels of rice along with a power tiller. Another 80 bushels was given to me which I distributed to other farmers.”
Speaking on the type of grain that is mostly used Marie Kargbo said that this is the first time they are planting the Nerica rice in Gbalamuya but the people really appreciate it as it is very good and easy to handle.
Some of the problems she is facing as group leader is that they don’t have food for work and that they also need tractors as some of the lands are very difficult to plough with the power tiller.
By Betty Milton and Ophaniel Gooding