Gambia's presidential forum sparks plan to revolutionize rice production

In a pivotal gathering dubbed the Presidential Delivery Forum, the Ministry of Agriculture, led by Honourable Dr. Demba Sabally, unveiled an ambitious roadmap to tackle The Gambia’s longstanding struggle with food security.

Addressing President Adama Barrow and key stakeholders, Dr. Sabally outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at rejuvenating the nation’s rice production sector over the next 12 months.

President Barrow, setting the tone for the forum, underscored The Gambia’s six-decade-long battle to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

Despite abundant land and human resources, Barrow lamented the country’s heavy reliance on rice imports, pointing fingers at profit-driven importers.

He urged the Ministry to empower local investors and farmers to take charge of rice cultivation, signaling a shift towards food sovereignty.

Highlighting the stagnation in rice production despite successes in cereal crops, President Barrow challenged the agricultural sector to harness its expertise and manpower to end rice imports once and for all.

In response, Dr. Sabally unveiled plans to import over 100 tractors, a move poised to revolutionize rice farming and bolster national food security.

Central to the Ministry’s strategy is mechanization, land development, and the dissemination of high-yield seeds. Dr. Sabally stressed the importance of farmer education and youth engagement in agriculture, envisioning a future where Gambians lead the charge towards food self-sufficiency.

As The Gambia charts a new course towards agricultural transformation, all eyes are on the Ministry of Agriculture to turn rhetoric into reality, heralding a brighter, more resilient future for the nation.