BANJUL, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Gambian government has declared a status of food insecurity and called on global partners to swiftly respond with support.
A statement from the Vice President's office read over national television on Tuesday night stated that assessment has shown a failure of 2018 cropping season across the country.
"About 1,711,318 people will be under pressure throughout the year if the present rainfall situation continues up to the end of the cropping season," said the statement.
"Rice production is expected to drop by 45 percent, leaving production level at about 15,098 metric tons (mt), which can cover about 8 percent of the rice needs of the regions leaving a gap of 92 percent (185,126 mt). This shortfall is valued at 5.2 billion Dalasis or 110.3 million U.S. dollars," it said.
Direct access to food and nutrition packages from government of The Gambia and development partners to the tune of 200,224 mt of rice and 99,256 mt of coarse grains in 2019 will be needed to help mitigate against the eminent food insecurity pressure, said the statement signed by Vice President Ousainou Darboe.
"On behalf of the Government and the people of The Gambia, I make a passionate plea for assistance from all development partners and friends of The Gambia to help mitigate the effects of food insecurity that will affect over 1.7 million Gambians," the VP was quoted as saying.
The Department of Water Resources' seasonal rainfall prediction for July, August and September 2018 indicated 45 percent chance of below normal rainfall, 40 percent chance of near normal rainfall and 15 percent chance for above normal rainfall.
