By Modou Kanteh
The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA) gets new board of directors to help continue promoting the commercialization and marketing of Livestock in the country, held at the Ministry of Agriculture’s conference room in Banjul.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Agriculture Amie Fabureh said “until the establishment of The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA), the livestock trade was dominated by non-Gambians bogus dealers and butchers who operated at the expense of the producers.”
The livestock markets were not organized and, in some cases, not accessible to producers. She said producers were denied the opportunities of realizing the true value of their animals because they were compelled to rely on the farm gate as the only channel to sell, she said.
“The marketing of livestock was not conducted under any regulatory framework that would enable the different actors in the livestock value chain to duly harness the huge economic potential of the trade,” she said.
She called on board members to familiarize themselves with the core activities of the agency. Minister highlighted the achievement registered by the agency which she said is in line with the National Development Plan.
According to her, the numbers of local farmers involved in marketing of their own animals have increased gradually replacing the non-nationals who dominated the market prior to the creation of the agency. The Minister tasked the new board to strive to ensure that the agency becomes a standard livestock marketing body within the sub-region.
Dr. Sainey Duto Fofana, new chairman of the board emphasized the significance role of the livestock sub-sector. He said the sector contributes about 10% of the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 40% of the overall agricultural contribution to the GDC. Dr. Fofana noted that the National Development Plan (NDP, 2017) emphasizes livestock as an important drive for achieving the targeted 4% growth in the agricultural sector by 2020.
“I am prepared to take up this challenging task just like I have done with other challenges during my active career as a civil servant and livestock experts,” he said.
He said with the support of the board members couple with the technical support from the director general the board would not lose sight of its priority of improving the short- and long-term performance of the agency. The newly appointed chairman promised to continue collaborating with all stakeholders both locally and internationally.
The new board comprises 10 members incluing Dr. Sainey Duto Fafana as chairman and Ebrima Cham as secretary general. The occasion was chaired by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture Momodou Mbaye Jabang.