By Sariba Manneh
The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in collaboration with the Agriculture and Employers Association, last week organised its first ever two-day Green Market Fair at the Trade Fair ground at Bursubi roundabout.
The fair held from the 22to 23 December, 2023 was used to display Made in The Gambia local farm produce ranging from agro-processing, livestock, seafood, fresh vegetables, and many more.
Speaking at the trade fair, Mrs Aji Sally Sanyang, Senior Operations Officer at GCCI, said the Green Market Fair was organised to help Gambian farmers to get free market access to sell their farm produce. She noted that the maiden edition of this Green Market Fair brought agro-processors and middlemen together.
The fair, according to her, was requested by the Farmers Association and a member of the GCCI, and they are hoping to bring the international trade fair for all businesses.
Mrs Ya Awa Faal, President of the Women Breeders Association, said they are very pleased about the idea which has made them feel that women can do everything.
The women breeders were introduced a year ago to women who are involved in animal rearing, adding that she got fascinated in animal rearing due to what she saw in Senegal and introduced it to the women breeders in the Gambia.
She therefore called on Gambian women to join them in rearing of animals as it’s a good source of income, like other activities women are involved in, while lamenting the difficulties someone face in feeding the animals.
Mr Wally Saine, CEO of Applying Research, a company that manufactures agricultural machines and food processing machines, gave a brief insight into his business which he started in 2018.
He noted that all the machines he is selling are purely made in The Gambia with the aim of making them easily accessible and affordable for farmers in the Gambia.
He said Gambian youths have lots of talent but they lack support, noting that with support the youths can reach greater heights, saying Applying Research manufacturing machines which include Milling, Sanders machines, and so on.
