In this interview with AG Radio on Friday evening, Mr. Muhammed Manjang, the former CFO of Standard Chartered Bank for the Africa region and former MD of SSHFC, stated that Gambia is significantly indebted, with a total debt of D110 billion. Each year, Gambia is required to pay D11 billion. The Gambia allocates D2.4 billion for the importation of goods and services, while its exports amount to less than D1 billion.
The majority of the food we consume in this country is imported. The rice produced in this country is insufficient to meet our needs, necessitating the importation of rice from other countries. Investing more in agriculture and adopting mechanised farming is the key to sustaining the country. Currently, in Gambia, only Maruo Farms Ltd and Jah Oil Rice Farms are involved in some form of mechanised farming. Apart from these two, the majority of Gambian farmers lack access to harvesters, noted by Mr. Manjang.
Mr. Manjang stated that the funds allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture are minimal, and for a country that heavily depends on food imports, this poses a significant issue for sovereignty. It is important to recognise that government ministers serve as policy implementers. Therefore, the government cannot directly engage in agriculture for Gambia’s sustainability. Instead, the government’s role should be to foster an enabling environment.
To sustain ourselves, it is crucial that we alter our current agricultural practices. It is essential that we find ways to finance agriculture. I do not think that the government budget alone will suffice, but it could establish institutions such as a bank for agriculture. Mechanised farming surpasses traditional methods, offering significant advantages over the scattered efforts of small groups of farmers.
Mr. Manjang stated that an alternative solution is to engage Gambians in the diaspora to invest in agriculture. Many individuals in the diaspora focus on constructing homes and providing for their families. While this approach is beneficial as it generates employment for builders, plumbers, electricians, and others, it may not be as effective as investing in agriculture. To pursue large-scale farming, we must move away from the traditional model of small family farms. This approach cannot sustain the country, and it reflects the current state of farming practices in this country. Mr. Manjang stated that advancing agriculture, in his opinion, requires a combination of structuring agricultural practices and securing financing.
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