By Assan Bah
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, Dr. Demba Sabally, has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of major agricultural projects across the country, saying they are helping to improve rice production, support farmers and move The Gambia closer to its goal of achieving food security.
Speaking to Foroyaa in his office in Banjul, Dr. Sabally said several government-supported projects are currently being implemented in the area, including ROOTS, GIRAV, P2-P2RS, REWARD, RECOWAS and the Regional Rice Value Chain Development Project.
“These five or six projects are very important in the Jahally-Pacharr area,” he said.
According to the minister, the projects are supporting farmers through land preparation, irrigation works, seed distribution, fertiliser supply and infrastructure development.
He said that in 2023 alone, the ROOTS Project desilted 40 kilometres of canals, ploughed more than 6,000 hectares of land and supplied over 1,500 tonnes of fertiliser.
The project also distributed 43 tonnes of certified rice seeds and more than 11,000 litres of herbicides to farmers.
Dr. Sabally said additional work continued in 2024, including the desilting of about 1,700 hectares, replacement of 11 culverts and rehabilitation of 56 water control structures used for tidal irrigation.
He added that in 2025, the P2-P2RS Project ploughed another 1,700 hectares and supplied certified seeds to farmers.
The minister said land development remains one of the government’s priorities.
He disclosed that the Regional Rice Value Chain Project developed 412 hectares of land at a cost of US$2.4 million, while the ROOTS Project developed another 510 hectares valued at about US$4.4 million.
Dr. Sabally also highlighted investments in storage and seed production facilities.
He said a large warehouse has been constructed in Pacharr to support rice seed growers working with development partners, including the Korean Government.
According to him, farmers in Jahally-Pacharr continue to receive certified seeds and fertiliser through government-supported projects at no cost.
The minister announced that the REWARD Project will rehabilitate another 352 hectares of land and develop 182 hectares of new solar-powered irrigation fields that will allow farmers to produce crops two or three times a year.
He said the project will also construct a 2.7-kilometre access road to improve transport to rice fields.
In addition, two drying floors have been built to help farmers properly dry harvested rice and improve grain quality.
Dr. Sabally said the overall objective of the projects is to increase rice production, create jobs, improve nutrition and support young people to enter agriculture.
“Most of these projects are not only about rice,” he said. “They also improve infrastructure and create opportunities for farmers.”
The minister said many of the projects are largely financed through grants, with only a small loan component.
He cited the REWARD Project, funded by the African Development Bank, as a grant-funded regional programme in which The Gambia is leading implementation.
He also said the GIRAV Project, supported by the World Bank, has expanded beyond agriculture to include support for local government and electricity services.
Dr. Sabally explained that the ROOTS Project combines grant and loan financing, with grants making up the larger share of its funding.
He added that the Regional Rice Value Chain Project is also mainly grant-funded.
