Banjul, The Gambia, 22 October, 2024 – The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) marked a significant milestone as Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid, the Director of Projects, embarked on a two-day working visit to the Republic of The Gambia. The highlight of this visit was a high-level meeting with HE Dr. Demba Sabally, the esteemed Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security of Republic of The Gambia.
The primary agenda of this strategic encounter was to reinforce IOFS's unwavering commitment to supporting The Gambian government in achieving sustainable food security and economic prosperity. Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid articulated the organization's strategic vision, focusing women inclusion in the cassava value chain focusing “Innovative Solutions for Cassava Postharvest Loss and Waste Reduction” as key catalysts for enhancing food security and driving socio-economic development within Gambia, Member States of West African region and other cassava-producing nations under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) umbrella.
The meeting saw a comprehensive exploration of collaborative opportunities, spanning crucial areas such as innovative solutions, technology integration, financial and investment facilitation, and market access. Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid emphasized the pivotal role of these elements in unlocking the full potential of Gambia's cassava value chain while ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Highlighting a strong collaboration between the IOFS and UN Women, Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid revealed the availability of collaborative support to technology and innovations, knowledge transfer and capacity building activities. Notably, cassava has been identified as one of the strategic commodities earmarked for this substantial support. Ms Sarah Razafindramana , the Regional Officer for West and East Africa at the UN Women, added during the panel discussion.
In remarks of appreciation for the recent engagement between The Gambian government and the IOFS, HE Dr. Demba Sabally, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, expressed gratitude for the wonderful and positive outcomes from H.E. The Director General of the IOFS, Ambassador Berik Aryn. He pledged unwavering commitment and collaboration from the ministry towards the development of the cassava sub-sector. This collaborative effort aims to fortify the achievement of sustainable food security in The Gambia, OIC Member States and beyond.
The strategic meeting between IOFS and the Gambian government marks a significant step towards realizing shared goals, women inclusion and fostering a robust partnership in the pursuit of a food-secure future for The Gambia.
