The Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, Dr. Demba Sabally, today commenced a nationwide monitoring tour of agricultural project sites across the country, beginning in the North Bank Region (NBR).
The tour is aimed at assessing the progress of projects implemented under the Ministry, engaging directly with farming communities, understanding their achievements and challenges, and identifying interventions that will further strengthen the agricultural sector.
The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, the Coordinator of the Central Project Coordination Unit (CPCU), the Director General of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), the Director General of the National Seed Secretariat, the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Director General GLMA, the ROOTS Project Director, other Project Directors, and senior technical officials.
The first stop of the tour was the GGC Barra Depot, after which the delegation proceeded to inspect the ROOTS-supported 60-ton Cold Storage Facility under construction at Ndungu Kebbeh, Lower Nuimi.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the President of the Solicita Marketing Federation expressed appreciation to the ROOTS Project for its continued support through the provision of tricycles, vegetable seeds, capacity-building programmes, and the construction of the cold storage facility. She also reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to fulfilling its agreed counterpart contribution.
ROOTS Project Director Famara Trawally commended the federation for consistently honouring its commitments and reiterated that the project remains committed to improving farmers’ livelihoods by supporting the entire agricultural value chain—from production to market access.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Minister Dr. Demba Sabally explained that the nationwide monitoring tour was designed to better understand the realities facing farmers and ensure that government interventions respond effectively to their needs. He announced that the National Food Security Cooperation will purchase onions produced by the community and noted that the 60-ton cold storage facility will significantly reduce post-harvest losses while improving storage and marketing opportunities.
The Minister further assured farmers that his office remains open to addressing their concerns and reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to agricultural development under the leadership of His Excellency President Adama Barrow.
The delegation subsequently visited the Ndungu Kebbeh Community Garden, currently under construction by the GIRAV Project, before proceeding to the Juruku Rice Fields in Upper Nuimi, where rehabilitation works are approximately 60% complete.
During the visit, community members expressed concerns about accessing their rice fields during the rainy season. In response, the consultant and contractor assured them that rice production would continue alongside the ongoing rehabilitation works and pledged to complete the project within the agreed timeframe.
The final visits for the day included Kerr Auldi, where the GIRAV Project is constructing a 24-kilometre access road linking surrounding communities to the Kerr Pateh Lumo, and the Kerewan Fertilizer Depot, where the Minister inspected fertilizer stocks ahead of the farming season.
Concluding the first day of the tour, Hon. Minister Dr. Demba Sabally expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded at the various project sites, particularly the ROOTS-supported interventions. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to improving agricultural infrastructure, strengthening market access, and enhancing food security to improve the livelihoods of farming communities across The Gambia.