Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-04-17 09:39:08
The Gambia Farmers Union recently visited the National Food Security Processing Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC), formerly known as the Gambia Groundnut Corporation. Critics argue that this name change epitomizes the Adama Barrow regime’s focus on superficial changes rather than substantive progress. Despite NFSPMC officials boasting about a “bumper harvest” in groundnut cultivation and claiming to have paid Gambian farmers generously for their harvests, these claims are contested as misleading and inaccurate.
A bumper harvest signifies an exceptionally high yield compared to usual production levels. The absence of concrete data on total groundnut harvest and yield figures raises doubts about NFSPMC’s assertions of a bumper harvest. In reality, The Gambia has not witnessed a bumper harvest in groundnut cultivation since Barrow assumed power in 2017. Comparisons with the previous administration under Yahya Jammeh reveal a stark contrast in agricultural performance, with Jammeh’s regime consistently outperforming Barrow’s in groundnut production and yield levels.
President Barrow’s apparent disconnect from agricultural realities is evident in his unfounded claims of swift payments to farmers, despite reports of significant payment delays. The lack of accountability within the NFSPMC and Ministry of Agriculture further exacerbates the agricultural sector’s challenges. The prevalence of non-existent success narratives and fragmented farmer associations reflect a government more focused on optics than addressing farmers’ genuine concerns.
Efforts to establish bottom-up farmer associations, starting from village-level cooperatives to national umbrella organizations, could enhance farmer representation and bypass the current trend of competing farmer associations vying for political attention. By fostering a more inclusive and responsive agricultural sector, the government could better address the needs of small farmers across various regions in The Gambia.
In conclusion, the discrepancies and inefficiencies within The Gambia’s agricultural sector underscore the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and genuine engagement with farmers’ concerns. As the country grapples with agricultural challenges, a paradigm shift towards a more participatory and responsive approach is crucial for sustainable agricultural development and food security.
Read the original article on The Standard
