On October 2, 2026, Gambia's Minister for Agriculture, Demba Sabally, outlined the government's support for farmers under President Adama Barrow at a Meet the People Tour meeting in Ngahen Sanjal village, Sabach Sanjal District, North Bank Region. He highlighted the reduction in fertiliser prices, free distribution of thousands of bags, provision of seeds, and free ploughing services. The Minister claimed that fertiliser prices were reduced from D2,500 per bag to D1,100 under President Barrow's administration.
Minister Sabally described Sabach Sanjal and the North Bank Region as a major farming area and revealed that 20 out of 87 tractors brought into the country by President Barrow were allocated to the North Bank Region alone. He stated that the President gave every district 2,000 bags of fertiliser, totaling over 14,000 bags, for Seyfos to distribute to farmers free of charge. Additionally, the President donated organic fertilisers to various villages in Sabach Sanjal.
The Minister provided specific details on the distribution of fertiliser bags to different villages. He mentioned that 66 bags were given to Mbampa Marida, 56 bags to Ngayen Sanjal, 40 bags to Kunjo, Tamba Koto, and Kanikunda Suba, and 120 bags to Bambali. Furthermore, 2,000 bags were allocated to the Seyfo of Sabach Sanjal to distribute free of charge. Similar distributions were made in Upper Badibu, Jarga Wollof, No Kunda, Minteh Kunda, and other areas.
In addition to fertiliser, Minister Sabally stated that the government provided seeds and ploughing services to farmers. He mentioned that rice seeds, groundnut seeds, corn seeds, and coos seeds were distributed to various villages. Specifically, 333 kilograms of rice seeds were given to Kumbija, 4,440 kilograms to Ngayen Sanjal, and similar amounts to other areas. The Minister also highlighted the provision of free tractor ploughing services in various regions.
The Minister's claims suggest that the government's support for farmers went beyond fertiliser distribution. He stated that hundreds of villages in Upper Niumi, Lower Niumi, Jokadu, Central Badibu, and Lower Badibu benefited from the government's initiatives. The North Bank Rice Growers Association received 480 bags, and the North Bank Farmers Association received 200 bags, all free of charge.
Minister Sabally's assertions indicate that the government's efforts aimed to empower farmers and boost agricultural production. He emphasized that the support did not only stop with fertiliser but also included seeds and ploughing services. The Minister's statements highlight the government's commitment to the agricultural sector and its efforts to improve the livelihoods of farmers.
The government's initiatives in the agricultural sector are part of a broader effort to promote sustainable agriculture and improve food security in Gambia. While the Minister's claims highlight the government's support for farmers, it remains to be seen how these initiatives will impact the country's agricultural sector in the long term. The government's efforts to reduce fertiliser prices and provide free distributions aim to increase crop yields and enhance food production.
Key points
- President Adama Barrow's administration reduced fertiliser prices from D2,500 to D1,100 per bag.
- The government distributed thousands of fertiliser bags to farmers free of charge.
- The initiatives also included provision of seeds and free ploughing services to support farmers.
