Demba Sabally, Minister of Agriculture
By Fatou Sillah
The Gambia government has addressed concerns raised by farmers regarding the digital payment systems at Seccos during this year’s groundnut season. A statement from the Office of the President disclosed that President Adama Barrow directed the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance to engage with farmers’ representatives and relevant stakeholders to resolve these issues promptly.
At a meeting held at the Ministry of Agriculture in Banjul, Agriculture Minister Dr. Demba Sabally is reported to have reiterated the government’s commitment to facilitating smoother financial transactions for farmers. He was also quoted to have called on QGroup, the partner behind the digital payment initiative, to improve its payment services at the 95 Seccos and 39 districts across the country.
The government spokesman further shared that the meeting took place at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Banjul offices on Monday.”Responding to farmers’ queries during the meeting held at the Agriculture Ministry’s offices in Banjul yesterday, the Agriculture Minister, Dr. Demba Sabally, told QGroup to increase payments services across the 95 Seccos nationwide or 39 Districts to ease monetary transactions for farmers. Mr. Sabally highlighted the singular importance of farmers to the Gambian economy and agriculture as a Government priority. Finance Minister Seedy Keita assured farmers of the Government’s steadfastness in providing resources to their sectors,” the statement read.
The statement highlights that Alagie Ceesay, Vice President of The Gambia Farmers’ Union (GFU), attributed the challenges to inadequate sensitization about the new digital payment platform, a shortage of payout agents nationwide, and the limited availability of cash at trading centers.
“Alagie Ceesay, vice president of The Gambia Farmers’ Union (GFU) blamed inadequate sensitization on the new Money digital payment platform, insufficient payout agents across the country and limited availability of cash at the trading centres as major problems.” the statement reads
The statement, signed by Ebrima G. Sankareh, the Government Spokesperson, also addressed remarks made by Musa Sowe of NACOFAG, Abdoulie S. Khan of FAC, and Muhammed Jah of QGroup.
Musa Sowe, representing the National Coordinating Organization of Farmers in The Gambia (NACOFAG), and Abdoulie S. Khan, from the Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Societies (FAC), acknowledged the challenges highlighted by the Gambia Farmers’ Union (GFU). Both encouraged farmers to collaborate with the Government in seeking sustainable solutions.
“Musa Sowe of the National Coordinating Organization of Farmers in The Gambia (NACOFAG) and Abdoulie S. Khan of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Societies (FACs), echoed the challenges raised by GFU while encouraging farmers to cooperate with the Government in finding lasting solutions.”
Muhammed Jah, Chairman and CEO of QGroup, a partner of the National Food Security, Processing, and Marketing Corporation in the groundnut trade, is quoted in the statement as expressing gratitude to the Government for its prompt response to farmers’ concerns, as demonstrated during the meeting with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, and senior officials.
“Muhammed Jah, Chairman and CEO of QGroup, which partners with the National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Corporation in the groundnut trade, thanked Government for the timely response to farmers’ concerns as evident in the meeting with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, and senior officials.Mr. Jah promised to intensify the Money sensitization campaign across the country, deploy more agents and synchronize cash payments to the Seccos. To accomplish this, the Group has deployed 500 people to train stakeholders across the country, purchased 8 vehicles to expedite the movement of workers and ensure sufficient and timely delivery of cash.” the statement reads in part.