Farmers’ worries about Seccos’ digital payment systems during this year’s groundnut season have been resolved by the Gambia government. According to a statement from the Office of the President, President Adama Barrow instructed the Finance and Agriculture Ministers to communicate with farmers’ representatives and other pertinent parties in order to swiftly address their concerns.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Demba Sabally is said to have reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enabling farmers to conduct financial transactions more easily during a meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture in Banjul. Additionally, he was reported to have urged QGroup, the collaborator on the digital payment project, to enhance its payment offerings in 39 districts and 95 Seccos nationwide.
The meeting was held on Monday at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Banjul offices, the government spokesperson added.In response to questions from farmers at yesterday’s meeting at the Agriculture Ministry’s Banjul offices, Agriculture Minister Dr. Demba Sabally instructed QGroup to expand payments services throughout the country’s 95 Seccos or 39 Districts in order to facilitate financial transactions for farmers. Mr. Sabally emphasised the government’s emphasis on agriculture and the farmers’ unique contribution to the Gambian economy. According to the statement, Finance Minister Seedy Keita gave farmers assurances about the government’s commitment to supporting their industries.
The statement emphasises that The Gambia Farmers’ Union (GFU) Vice President Alagie Ceesay ascribed the difficulties to a lack of payout agents across the country, a lack of awareness regarding the new digital payment mechanism, and the restricted amount of cash available at trading centres.
The Gambia Farmers’ Union (GFU) vice president, Alagie Ceesay, identified three main issues: a lack of payout agents nationwide, a lack of awareness of the new Money digital payment mechanism, and a shortage of cash at the trading centres. It says
The statement, which was signed by Government Spokesperson Ebrima G. Sankareh, also addressed comments made by Muhammad Jah of QGroup, Abdoulie S. Khan of FAC, and Musa Sowe of NACOFAG.
Abdoulie S. Khan of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Societies (FAC) and Musa Sowe of the National Coordinating Organisation of Farmers in The Gambia (NACOFAG) both acknowledged the difficulties brought to light by the Gambia Farmers’ Union (GFU). Both urged farmers and the government to work together to find sustainable solutions.
Abdoulie S. Khan of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Societies (FACs) and Musa Sowe of the National Coordinating Organisation of Farmers in The Gambia (NACOFAG) repeated the difficulties expressed by GFU and urged farmers to work with the government to find long-term solutions.
According to the statement, Muhammed Jah, Chairman and CEO of QGroup, a groundnut trading partner of the National Food Security, Processing, and Marketing Corporation, thanked the government for responding quickly to farmers’ concerns during the meeting with senior officials, ministers, permanent secretaries, and the deputy government spokesperson.
“In the meeting with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, and senior officials, Muhammad Jah, Chairman and CEO of QGroup, which collaborates with the National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Corporation in the groundnut trade, thanked the government for responding promptly to farmers’ concerns.”Mr. Jah pledged to deploy more agents, synchronise cash transfers to the Seccos, and step up the nation-wide money sensitisation program. In order to do this, the Group has bought eight cars to facilitate worker mobility and guarantee enough and prompt cash distribution, and it has sent out 500 personnel to teach stakeholders around the nation. Part of the statement is read.
