Government Distributes 15 Metric Tons of Certified Rice Seeds to Farmers in Lower Fulladou West

Handover ceremony

By Seedy Jobe

The Regional Rice Value Chain Project on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, handed over 15 metric tons of certified, high-yielding rice seeds to farmers in Lower Fulladou West, in a move officials described as a critical intervention to bolster agricultural productivity and food security in one of the country’s most important rice-growing regions.

The seeds were distributed primarily to members of the Jahaly Pacharr rice farming community at an official ceremony that drew local leaders, project officials, and farmers who had long awaited government support after a season of mounting agricultural pressures.

Speaking at the official handover ceremony, National Assembly Member for Lower Fulladu West, Hon. Gibbi Mballow, commended the project for its timely intervention, describing the provision of quality seeds free of charge as a critical step toward enhancing productivity, rural livelihoods, and national food security. He highlighted the broader support provided by the project, including tractors, router boats, power tillers, and fertilizers.

The project has rehabilitated 413 hectares of farmland across Units 1, 2, and 3, while introducing innovations aimed at modernizing rice production and promoting sustainability within the farming community.

Hon. Mballow also expressed gratitude to President Adama Barrow for prioritizing agriculture and placing farmers at the center of the national development agenda. He further appealed to project management to expand support through training programs for youth on agricultural machinery operation and maintenance, temporary food assistance for affected farmers, and enhanced awareness campaigns on proper fertilizer use.

The ceremony underscored the collective commitment of stakeholders to drive agricultural transformation in Lower Fulladu West, equipping farmers with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to increase rice production and improve livelihoods.