The European Union and the Government of The Gambia have signed a Financing Agreement to boost the transformation of agri-food systems in The Gambia’, i.e. to support activities and actors involved in “getting food from field to fork”. The new programme, worth 1.7 billion dalasi (20 million euros) is designed specifically to modernise and strengthen the country’s horticulture sector, with a focus on women, youth and rural communities.
The agreement was signed by Immaculada ROCA I CORTES, Ambassador of the European Union to The Gambia, and Hon. Seedy K. M. KEITA, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of The Gambia at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Finance. The event was also attended by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade, Industry Regional Integration and Employment and the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA), key partners in this programme.
During the signing ceremony, Hon. Seedy K. M. KEITA, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of The Gambia, stated: “This new Financing Agreement marks a significant milestone in advancing rural development and food security. The new programme will contribute actively to our national goals of boosting food production, creating decent jobs for our people, and ensuring greater resilience in the face of climate change. “
Ambassador Immaculada ROCA I CORTES of the European Union to The Gambia stated: “Today’s agreement shows our shared commitment to support Gambian farmers, especially women and young people, to grow more nutritious food, by increasing their income, access new markets, and adopt eco-friendly farming practices that protect the environment. In addition to strengthening food security in The Gambia, the programme will also create new green jobs and open opportunities for exports.”
The programme focuses on three main priorities: 1) increase investments, productivity, income opportunities and working conditions for women, young people, with a specific emphasis on the horticulture sector; 2) Improve plant health, food safety, control and quality management systems, processes and sustainable agro-ecological practices of producers and processors; and 3) strengthen diversified, nutrition-sensitive, agro-ecologically produced targeted agri-food value chains.
The programme will be implemented by COLEAD, a private sector not-for-profit organisation that gathers companies, professional organisations and experts committed to inclusive and sustainable agriculture. In addition, the programme will also support peer-to-peer cooperation between the Food Safety and Quality Authority and a public administration in EU Member State.
This new agreement builds on the EU’s long-standing support for The Gambia’s development efforts, and reflects both partners’ commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including food security, gender equality, and climate action.
For further information, please contact:
European Union Delegation to The Gambia
DELEGATION-GAMBIA@eeas.europa.eu
