By Kebba AF Touray
The Government of The Gambia has launched a Youth-led Entrepreneurship Scheme in Rice Production as part of efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on imported rice. The scheme was officially launched by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Demba Sabally, on Friday, July 25, 2025, at a ceremony held at Maruo Farms in Pacharr, Central River Region.
The initiative targets young people and is aimed at promoting self-reliance, improving livelihoods, and increasing local rice production. It is supported by Project 2 of the Programme to Strengthen Resilience to Food and Nutrition Insecurity in the Sahel (P2-P2RS), ROOTS, and Maruo Farms.
The pilot phase involves 40 participants — 20 entrepreneurs and 20 assistants — drawn from the Gambia College School of Agriculture and the Gambia Songhai Initiative (GSI).
Speaking at the event, Minister Sabally said, “Agriculture today is not just about subsistence, it is a business. Our youth, known for their energy, creativity, and resilience, must be supported and equipped to take agriculture to the next level.”
He added, “The engagement of youth in agriculture is no longer optional. It is essential and it is at the very heart of our government’s NDP. Agriculture today is not just about subsistence. It is a business, and we must treat it as such. Our young people known for their energy, creativity and resilience, must be supported and equipped to take agriculture to the next level.”
Minister Sabally also called on P2-P2RS, ROOTS, and Maruo Farms to maintain and strengthen their partnership to help scale up rice production and reduce the rice import bill.
Ansumana Njie, Director of Operations at P2-P2RS, expressed the project’s support for the youth-led initiative. He said, “The project pays crucial attention to youth and women.”
Alhagie Nyangado, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, encouraged young people to make use of the opportunity. He said, “Other organizations are already showing interest in the initiative and the ministry is ready to collaborate and expand the programme.”
He added, “Agriculture is for the youth,” and said that if fully embraced, “young people can reap millions from the venture,” while assuring that the pilot scheme “is just the beginning of government’s support to this realization.”
Amie Kujabi, a youth beneficiary working with Maruo Farms, welcomed the scheme. She said, “The initiative is an investment, not an expenditure,” and assured their readiness to fulfill the aspirations of the pilot scheme in rice production in The Gambia.
