NFSMC Unveils Ambitious Plans for the 2025-2026 Groundnut Season

By Dawda Baldeh

The National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Cooperation (NFSMC), formerly Gambia Groundnut Cooperation (GGC), has disclosed its ambitious plans for the 2025-2026 groundnut marketing season aimed at enhancing business interactions between farmers and the government.

The cooperation’s leaders informed journalists that, similar to last year, they will continue utilizing mobile money for transactions, but emphasized that farmers will have various options available.

“This year, we will maintain mobile money payments, but there will be changes.
We will incorporate all the different money agencies and select the best option,” stated Lamin Sanyang, the deputy managing director of NFSMC.

Officials indicated that this initiative is designed to tackle challenges faced in previous years. Mr. Sanyang underscored the significance of the meeting, recalling the substantial losses NFSMC experienced, particularly during last year’s groundnut season.

He pointed out that the losses over the years have resulted in the corporation choosing only fifty out of more than a hundred Seccos.

“We recognized that the challenges we have been encountering are obstructing our advancement. The government borrows money from banks, adds subsidies, and provides it to us for purchasing groundnuts,” he explained.

“That’s why I mentioned that this year we will select Seccos who have met expectations.”
Mr. Sanyang reiterated that this approach aims to enhance performance, thereby helping the selected Seccos, presidents, and farmers understand the rationale behind the limited selection this year. He also revealed that the corporation has acquired new equipment to streamline the process, assuring farmers of a swift and efficient operation this year.

Chief Yahya Jarjusey of Jarra Central emphasized the necessity for Secco heads to remain vigilant throughout the process and ensure that every activity is documented. He noted that this will enhance accountability and reduce potential losses.

Chief Jarjusey added that poor performance from Seccos would result in losses for both the government and farmers.

Meanwhile, Thomas Robert, Director of Strategic Planning, highlighted the importance of collaboration between NFSMC and Secco managers, addressing their concerns.
Mr. Robert announced that all fifty selected Seccos for this groundnut season will receive new diesel screening machines to improve operational efficiency.

He further revealed the introduction of a digital device to allow Seccos to record and store groundnut measurements, enhancing accuracy and record-keeping. He added that payments for the season will be processed via a mobile application, facilitating quicker and more secure transactions.

The meeting concluded after farmers and Secco presidents posed questions that were subsequently addressed by NFSMC officials. Seccos in The Gambia serve as the main purchasing centers for groundnuts, a key crop, where farmers sell their harvest to licensed buying agents for income.

The system has faced difficulties, particularly regarding cash shortages, payment delays, and the implementation of new digital payment systems, resulting in significant frustration among farmers. According to the cooperation heads, these measures will help address the various challenges both the seccos heads, farmers, and the government have endured over the years.

 By Dawda Baldeh The National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Cooperation (NFSMC), formerly Gambia Groundnut Cooperation (GGC), has disclosed its ambitious plans for the 2025-2026 groundnut marketing season aimed at enhancing business interactions between farmers and the government. The cooperation’s leaders informed journalists that, similar to last year, they will continue utilizing mobile money for The Fatu Network