By Assan Bah
President Adama Barrow visited Jah Oil Agric Foods and Farms’ 4-kilometer rice field in Bayaba Village, Sami District in the Central River Region North on Thursday to encourage private-sector investment in rice production. The visit showcased the strides made to achieve food security in The Gambia and the challenges local producers face.
Momodou Hydara, Managing Director of Jah Oil Group, welcomed the president and expressed gratitude for government support while highlighting key challenges.
“Our major issue is electricity. The machines consume a lot, and we appeal to NAWEC to provide increased electricity capacity to enhance production,” Hydara said.
He reported success with rice varieties the Ministry of Agriculture provided, achieving a 70-75% success rate with basmati rice despite drought conditions.
“We expected 7 tons per hectare, but the drought affected some of our production. Now, we’ve completed the pilot project and aim for three to four harvests annually. We’ve also acquired six pivot irrigation systems, each capable of covering 101 hectares. These systems, however, are highly dependent on electricity,” he added.
Hydara said: “When we have these pivot systems, we will target four main crops which the rice will have the greater portion, hundred hectares for potato, onion, and corn.”
Speaking at the site, President Barrow emphasized the importance of private-sector involvement in achieving food security.
“Projects like these contribute to food security, create jobs, and reduce our dependency on foreign exchange. Rice production involves significant costs, which is why the private sector, combined with government support, is crucial,” he said.
The president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting such initiatives, adding: “We’ve been importing rice since 1965, with 85% of what we consume coming from abroad. To ensure food security and reduce costs, we must support projects like Jah Oil Farms. This is not just a business; it’s a social responsibility that complements the government’s efforts.”
He highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, which has disrupted traditional farming patterns and called for modernization in agriculture to ensure year-round rice production.
President Barrow expressed optimism that The Gambia could achieve its 2030 rice self-sufficiency target.
“With the speed and progress I’ve seen here, I believe we can achieve this goal even earlier. Agriculture is our diamond and gold, and we must return to the farm with a commitment to make a difference in our lives,” Mr Baarow stressed.
The president reiterated the government’s role in creating policies that support food production and reduce the pressure on foreign exchange caused by rice imports.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that sufficient food is produced for the Gambian people. By modernizing our farming systems, we can overcome erratic rainfall patterns and achieve food security,” he stated.
During the visit, President Barrow observed harvesting processes and inspected packaged rice products ready for the market.
