GIRAV, DoP Build Capacity on Yield Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting

A two-day refresher training in Yield Sampling, Survey and Measurement Techniques for personnel of the Department of Planning is under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security is underway at the Central Projects Coordinating Unit (CPCU) in Banjul.

The capacity building exercise is jointly organized by the Department of Planning and The GIRAV Project. The objective of the activity is to facilitate timely collection of real-time data on the maize and rice fields cultivated across the country during the current cropping season thanks to the 2024 GIRAV Project Seeds Support which targeted about 12,500 smallholder farmers with 100 Metric Tons of Certified Rice seeds and 150 Metric Tons of certified maize seeds. This will help to determine the performance of the crops in the fields.

The actual Yield Sampling, Survey and Measurement activity will begin on Saturday 28^th September 2024. The outcome of the exercise will help contribute towards addressing the perennial problem of timely availability and access to accurate and quality yield data to inform policy decision and effective planning for inclusive and sustainable agricultural development in the Gambia.

Addressing the opening ceremony at the Conference Room of the CPCU, Mr. Abdoulie Touray, Coordinator of the GIRAV Project and the CPCU underscored the importance of effective data collection and reporting. He explained that the output of the survey will help input the project results framework which is aligned to the results framework of the new Recovery Focused National Development Plan. He acknowledge the important role of the Department of Planning in national development. He said: “The department was established by an Act of Parliament in recognition of its mandate and we rely on you to collect real-time data, analyze and report on the performance of the maize and rice fields supported by the project”.

Mr. Touray used the opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the GIRAV project to work more closely with the department noting that a Memorandum of Understanding is being finalized to have the Department as an Implementing Partner of the project.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Francis Mendy, Director, department of Planning challenged participants to make good use of the training and measure up to expectations in delivering the expected output. He said: “I encourage you not to compromise with quality and standard in the execution of the activity. Use the right tool and methodology. The data generated by you is what the project will report to the donor and it is what the policy makers will use to make policies and for planning”.

The Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV), is a USD108 million grant from the World Bank.  The Project Development Objectives (PDO) are to promote (i) the development of inclusive, resilient, and competitive agricultural value chains, focusing on smallholder farmers and agribusinesses, and (ii) improved water supply and sanitation in project target areas.