12 May 2009

The government of the Jamahiriya, Republic of Libya in its Endeavour to boost Agriculture in Africa for self- sufficiency in food production on Wednesday 6th May added two more tractors to the eight tractors that are currently in the country for distribution within identified farming communities.

According to the information secretary at the Libya Embassy Mr. Zeyad Abulgasim, when receiving the two tractors at the airport said, the donation of the tractors to the Gambian people is due to the promise made by the Libyan leader and the chairperson of the African Union, Colonel Muammar Al Qaddafi at the Sahel conference in Cotonou.

Mr. Zeyad indicated that the donation of the tractors is just a token of the AU leader's endeavour to help develop all African countries in terms of Agriculture. Mr. Zeyad indicated that the relationship between the Gambia and Libya is cordial and based on mutual understanding and friendship between the two leaders.

He calls on the entire African continent to support the cause of the Libyan leader to achieve African unity. He added that as Africans we would not be able to sustain African unity without sustainable Agriculture with food at every door step. He noted that all African countries shall endeavour to support the Agricultural sector of their countries to salvage Africa off hunger and starvation.

The Libya consular, Mr. Lotfi Ezlitni said this is part of the Libyan leader's "Green Agriculture programme" initiated for the whole of Africa. Consular Ezlitni indicates that soon the programme will be fully operational and there will be a team of Libyan experts that will come to the Gambia as instructors for the implementation of the programme. He stated that the Gambia has been identified among the 35 African countries for the AU leader's support of Agricultural and Industrial programmes of each respective country. He added that the programme will later expand to all the African countries. He noted that this unprecedented programme is based on the Pan-African ideology of the Libyan leader for the betterment of the entire continent.

Consular Ezlitni pointed out that these programmes will also help in curbing mass economic migration of African youths whom he said can stay on the continent to help develop its economy. He asserted that the tractors will be of free use to the Gambians and call on individual big farmers to solicit for their help. He added that they are ready to expand and give more helping hand to individual farmers that are ready for farming and need tools. He concluded by calling on the Gambian government to help speed and facilitate the arrival of the Libya experts to come and commence their operations.