By: Fatou Krubally
Regional officials, development partners and technical experts on Wednesday gathered in Banjul for a high-level meeting to review progress and chart the next phase of efforts to strengthen food and nutrition security across the Sahel.
The three-day Regional Technical Coordination Committee (RTCC) meeting of the Programme for Strengthening Resilience to Food and Nutritional Insecurity in the Sahel (P2-P2RS) brings together representatives from nine beneficiary countries, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), and other regional institutions.
Officially opening the meeting, The Gambia’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, Dr Demba Sabally, said the gathering comes at a “decisive moment” for the Sahel, as countries confront climate shocks, land degradation, food import dependence and youth unemployment.
Dr Sabally told participants that agriculture must be seen not as a sector of the past, but as a modern and dignified pathway for wealth creation, especially for young people. He says The Gambia remains committed to reducing reliance on imported food and strengthening local production systems to protect communities from economic and climate shocks.
He highlighted the impact of the P2-P2RS project in The Gambia, noting that government support under the programme has helped smallholder farmers access certified seeds, fertilizers and ploughing services, contributing to improved harvests during the last farming season.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of CILSS, Abdoulie Muhammad, praised the Gambian authorities for hosting the meeting and for their continued support to regional resilience efforts. He says the second phase of the programme is already delivering tangible results across member states, with more than 8,300 sub-projects financed, half of them benefiting women.
Mr Muhammad cited concrete achievements in The Gambia, including the distribution of over 90 tonnes of certified rice and maize seeds, 450 tonnes of fertilizer, development of thousands of hectares of rice fields, training of farmers and extension workers, and support to young people entering agriculture. He says these interventions have boosted production, created jobs and increased incomes in rural communities.
The meeting will assess the implementation of recommendations from the previous RTCC session held in Senegal, review the execution of 2025 work plans, identify bottlenecks, and develop a consolidated work plan and budget for 2026. Participants are also expected to visit a project site to engage directly with beneficiary communities.
Officials said the outcomes of the Banjul meeting will help strengthen coordination improve implementation efficiency and consolidate gains made in building resilience across the Sahel and West Africa.
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By: Fatou Krubally Regional officials, development partners and technical experts on Wednesday gathered in Banjul for a high-level meeting…
The post Regional Meeting on Food and Nutrition Security Gets Underway in Banjul appeared first on .
