By: Binta Jaiteh
Farmers in the North Bank Region (NBR) and Central River Region (CRR) have expressed their concerns about the 2024 groundnut farming season, describing it as a total failure.
Yorro Jadama, a farmer from Njaba Kunda, has called on the government to provide assistance to farmers during this challenging time.
“The yield of groundnut last year was discouraging, making it difficult to obtain seeds due to last year’s poor harvest,” he noted.
He emphasized that selling groundnuts presents another challenge, as farmers typically receive their payments through banks.
“This system is frustrating for many farmers due to the long queues. Farmers from Kerewan, Kaur, and Ngen Sanjal all had to meet in Farafenni to collect their payments,” he lamented.
Allagie Kanteh, another farmer from Njaba Kunda in the North Bank Region, stated the 2024 groundnut season is poorer thanprevious years.
“Although the rain came as expected, the real issue is the availability of groundnut seeds. If we don’t start searching for seeds immediately, the demand will rise as the planting season approaches, and farmers will struggle to acquire them,” he warned.
“We rely heavily on farming to feed our families, pay school fees, and cover other expenses. Given the current situation in the country, it is increasingly difficult to provide food, especially for a family man,” he added.
Kanteh reiterated that farmers are facing immense challenges due to the poor harvest from last year.
He also highlighted the high cost of fertilizers, particularly for those who need to buy 20 to 30 bags.
“It’s unfortunate that some farmers have to borrow money from banks to cover their expenses, hoping for a favorable season to repay their debts. If things do not go well, they can find themselves in a difficult situation,” he explained.
Kanteh urged the government to immediately intervene to help farmers to access seeds in time as the available groundnut seeds are not suitable for the upcoming planting season.
Salifu Muhammad Mballow, a farmer in CRR, shared his frustrations about last year’s groundnut season, which he found disheartening due to the significant funds spent on fertilizers and other farming tools.
“We faced numerous challenges last year compared to previous groundnut seasons. Gambians depend heavily on groundnut processing because it is a staple food in the country. As a small nation like The Gambia with a limited population, the government should invest more in farming to prevent a shortage of groundnuts,” Mballow stated.
He emphasized the need to empower farmers by providing them with seeds, fertilizers, and farming tools for easier cultivation. Without these resources, he went on, farming will become increasingly difficult, and life will not be as expected. Mballowalso pointed out that borrowing money from banks complicates their farming activities, as poor harvests mean struggling to repay debts which, he stated, pose a significant challenge.