President Barrow inspects processing plant, reaffirms commitment to Gambia’s agricultural growth

President Adama Barrow has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural transformation as he inspected a processing plant at the National Food Security and Marketing Corporation in Saro, Banjul. The visit, conducted on Tuesday, was aimed at assessing the progress of the “Enhancing Value Addition in the Groundnut Sector” project, which is set to conclude later this year.

Speaking during the visit, President Barrow emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating that its “sole purpose” is to drive economic progress by swiftly addressing some of the country’s major financial challenges. The project is a key component of The Gambia’s National Development Plan, focusing on boosting food security, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.

Agriculture has been a cornerstone of The Gambia’s economy since the colonial era, but President Barrow stressed the need for modernization and sustainability. “The government is dedicated to a sustainable transition by establishing pathways to process agricultural products into goods suitable for local consumption and export,” he affirmed.

By enhancing value addition in the groundnut sector, the initiative is expected to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports, ensuring a steady supply of essential goods. Furthermore, processing agricultural products locally will create employment opportunities while generating sufficient foreign currency reserves to help manage inflation.

The President also used the opportunity to call on business investors to embrace innovation and contribute to the country’s economic transformation. “I encourage business investors to be more innovative by putting in collective efforts to address the country’s major challenges for national development,” he stated.

With the project nearing completion, expectations are high for its impact on The Gambia’s agricultural landscape, positioning the country as a key player in value-added agricultural exports.