GEP's Results-Driven Development Plan
Root Causes of Agricultural Failure in The Gambia
For decades, agriculture, the backbone of The Gambia’s economy has been trapped in a cycle of inefficiency, neglect, and corruption. Instead of being a source of food security and national pride, it has been reduced to survival farming. The challenges are deep-rooted:
- Donor Dependency & Short-Term Projects
Agriculture is driven by fragmented donor-funded initiatives rather than sustainable, nationally-owned programs that deliver lasting results.
- Weak Irrigation & Mechanization
Farmers remain overly dependent on rainfall, with little access to modern irrigation systems or mechanized tools that could boost productivity.
- Policy Inconsistency & Corruption
Subsidies, aid distribution, and input supply are plagued by favoritism, leakages, and political interference, undermining trust and effectiveness.
- High Import Dependency
The Gambia imports 80–90% of rice and significant portions of onions and tomatoes, leaving local farmers unable to compete and the nation vulnerable to external shocks.
- Poor Infrastructure
With inadequate storage, processing, and distribution systems, farmers suffer massive post-harvest losses every season.
- Land Tenure Problems
Small, fragmented plots and the absence of secure land ownership discourage large-scale investment and innovation in farming.
- Negative Perception of Farming
Agriculture is stigmatized as a “poor man’s job” rather than being promoted as a profitable, modern, and dignified business.
- Weak Monitoring & Accountability
Government institutions lack effective mechanisms to track project outcomes, enforce performance, or hold officials accountable.
- Rampant Corruption & Misuse of Funds
Billions of dalasis meant for farmers often vanish before reaching the ground, further eroding confidence in the sector.
- Chronic Underinvestment & Mismanagement
Despite pledges under the Maputo Declaration to allocate 10% of the national budget, agriculture has received less than 4% over the past decade. The result: persistent food insecurity, with more than 65% of households struggling to feed themselves.
Feasible, Outcome-Based Approaches (GEP’s Vision)
Agriculture must move from subsistence to prosperity. GEP will rebuild the sector as the backbone of food security, jobs, and national wealth through the following pillars:
- Irrigation & Mechanization Drive
Develop large-scale, community-owned irrigation schemes along the River Gambia. Establish public–private hubs for tractors and equipment leasing so that modern mechanization becomes affordable and accessible to every farmer.
- Market & Price Stabilization
Introduce Guaranteed Minimum Price schemes for key staples like rice, groundnuts, and maize. Strengthen cooperatives to directly link farmers with hotels, exporters, and processors, cutting out exploitative middlemen.
- Agri-Finance & Insurance
Provide low-interest loans through microfinance institutions, backed by government guarantees. Launch crop insurance to protect farmers from climate shocks such as floods and droughts.
- Youth & Agribusiness Empowerment
Create Agri-Tech Hubs to train youth in greenhouse farming, aquaculture, and food processing. Support youth-led startups with tax breaks, grants, and incubation programs to turn farming into a profitable business venture.
- Storage & Processing Infrastructure
Build cold storage warehouses and mini-processing plants for rice, tomatoes, and other crops. This will reduce post-harvest losses while producing export-ready, value-added products.
- Land & Policy Reform
Introduce secure land-leasing frameworks to attract serious commercial investment. Guarantee long-term policy stability under independent oversight, beyond political cycles.
- Anti-Corruption & Monitoring Mechanisms
Establish an independent Agricultural Monitoring Authority to audit funds and publish transparent scorecards. Digitize farmer registration and subsidy distribution to ensure accountability and eliminate corruption.