By Assan Bah
Farmers in the North Bank Region (NBR) say they have not been paid for their groundnut produce, more than two months after delivery, despite official claims that all debts have been settled.
The National Food Security and Marketing Corporation (NFSMC), formerly known as the Gambia Groundnut Corporation (GGC), concluded a nationwide cash payment exercise on March 18, 2025. During the exercise, officials visited 32 seccos across the country and claimed that all outstanding farmer payments had been settled.
However, several secco presidents and farmers dispute these claims, describing them as misleading. They say payments remain outstanding in many areas.
GGC officials had previously told secco representatives that payments would only be made for properly screened groundnuts delivered to their depots, and not for dust or unscreened produce. Seccos were warned in advance, they said, not to purchase unscreened groundnuts.
But some farmers say they are now bearing the brunt of this policy. They argue that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure payments are made in full. “It is the government which is buying the groundnuts, and it should ensure that we are paid by pursuing the secco presidents. Government should help us get our money,” one farmer said.
Speaking to Foroyaa, some farmers and secco officials confirmed they have not received full payments, but said a delegation from the National Assembly Select Committee on Agriculture and GGC officials recently visited some of the affected seccos and promised that payments would be made this week.
Jim Gaye, president of the Kerr Alagie Karu secco, Alhagie Ousman Jobe of Kerr Jarga, and Samba Sallah of the Kuntaya secco in Jokadou District, all confirmed that they still owe farmers. “They have not paid us yet. We were again promised that payments will be made on Tuesday or Wednesday this week,” they said.
Omar Saho, a farmer in Fass Omar Saho, said he has been waiting for over two months for a payment of more than D500,000 worth of groundnuts. “We keep hearing promises that money will come ‘next week,’ but nothing changes. We are suffering,” he said.
Another farmer, Ousman Nyang, also from Fass Omar Saho, said on April 14 that he was partially paid, but still has a balance of over D70,000. “That was before Ramadan, and I’m still waiting,” he said.
Jully Ndow from the Medina Sering Mass secco said National Assembly Members visited last week and promised payments would be made soon. “We are still waiting to hear from them,” she said.
In Chilla Jurunku, Upper Niumi District, farmers Ismaila Busso and Mam Layen Sillah said their secco owes them over D700,000. “We really need help. It’s been months of the same promise. Some of us are also into cashew nut business, but our capital is tied up at the secco,” they said.
Amadou Bah, a farmer in Medina Daru, said he delivered groundnuts to several seccos but is yet to receive any payment. “We’re constantly told we will be paid ‘this week,’ but nothing happens. I even considered taking legal action but was advised against it,” he said.
Alagie Kaba Drammeh, president of the Kerr Biran Kanyi secco, said: “One farmer recently threatened to report us to the police, but where do we get the money to pay? He credited 17 tonnes. We are suffering just like the farmers.”
GGC Managing Director Muhammed Njie told Foroyaa that reconciliation is still ongoing. He could not give a definite timeline for when the process would be completed. “We have to go secco by secco with all their delivery receipts. We can’t pay for dust. Farmers must understand that we are only paying for properly screened groundnuts,” he said.
