Food and water security in Republic of The Gambia depend on new climate change policy. - 5 Apr 2008  
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Like many other sub-Saharan countries in Africa, Gambia, and especially her farmers, feel the effects of global warming intensifying with each year. In particular, current problems in food production are being magnified.

Supreme Master Television had a chance to discuss the country’s future of food and water security with Gambia’s Director of Water Resources Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju, during the Bangkok international climate change conference, which concluded on Friday. Mr. Jarju was the Gambian representative to the United Nations Subsidiary Body for Implementation, Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju, Director of Water Resources in Gambia   
Gambian representative, UN Subsidiary Body for Implementation, Framework Convention on Climate Change

Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju, Director of Water Resources in Gambia: The capital city, which is almost about one meter above sea level is vulnerable to sea level rise. And we are also feeling the impacts because if you look at the rainfall history over the past 3 decades, the rainfall has been declining, the temperatures has been rising by 0.4 degrees per decade; we are experiencing shorter raining season, and the dry spell is also increasing over the years. So we are feeling the impact and this is also leading to food insecurity.

 Last December the Gambian government presented its final national action plan to the United Nations outlining the ways it would adapt to a changed future climate.

Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju, Director of Water Resources in Gambia: One of the projects is to have an early warning system which would really give the farmers information on the right time to sow, and the time it is going to rain. We are a tropical country; we are endowed with sunlight. So we are using renewable energy to pump water, to supply a water supply, to supply rural communities with water. We are able to have up to 140 communities at present which are benefiting from clean water through solar pumping systems.

As Gambia works to prepare her agricultural sector in coping with environmental changes, Mr. Jarju emphasized the importance for all citizens to make the lifestyle changes needed for the long term, including adjustments in diet.

Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju, Director of Water Resources in Gambia: We really need to change our lifestyles, because this is really what is contributing to greater emissions, to climate change. Our diet system also needs to change. If we go in for vegetarian type of diets that would also contribute immensely. We are ready to save the planet.

We applaud the efforts of Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju and all the delegates of the UN climate change conference. With Heaven’s grace, we pray that Gambia and all African countries will develop effective climate change measures to protect their citizens and the continent’s magnificent beauty