While acknowledging last year’s price of D38,000 per tonne - considered favourable compared to neighbouring countries,- farmers urged the president to raise the price to an amount more than the last year. They stressed that farming is their primary source of livelihood and that a price increase would significantly improve their economic well-being.
President Barrow currently on a nationwide tour mandated by the constitution, aims to foster direct engagement with citizens, gather firsthand insights into their challenges, and outline his administration’s development agenda. During the tour, the president is expected to inspect ongoing projects, assess their impact on beneficiaries, and identify obstacles affecting implementation.
During the meeting, residents voiced their concerns about poor road infrastructure, particularly in Jokadou District. Locals described the roads as dilapidated and impassable especially during the rainy season, hindering access to markets, schools, and health facilities.
“This is our main source of income. We depend entirely on farming to support our families,” Omar Joof said, while also expressing appreciation for the President’s visit. Joof raised concerns about agricultural challenges, particularly the pricing of groundnut.
“If the price doesn’t reach 80, let it reach 60,” he urged, noting that last year’s rate was 38. He criticised the credit buying system and the lack of cash availability at banks, which he said frustrates farmers.
Joof also highlighted poor road conditions between Maka Balla Manneh and Ndungou Kebbeh, and other routes leading to Bally Mandinka and Kerr Omar Kebbeh. He appealed for the completion of the local clinic, staff quarters, and upgrade of the school to junior level and improvement of women’s gardens.
“These roads connect several communities, but they are in terrible condition. We are appealing to the president to prioritise their rehabilitation,” a community elder stated.
Speaking on behalf of the districts’ chiefs, Jorge M. Sonko thanked the President for the construction of the Hakalang Road, describing it as a long-awaited relief for the community.
He appealed for further road infrastructure across the three districts and urged government officials to consult local authorities before implementing community-based projects.
Sonko cited the NaFA cash transfer programme, claiming that a lack of consultation had led to some beneficiaries being individuals who could afford to do without the assistance. He also called for a review of the Forest Act to better manage and preserve forest cover.
“Let no one have two minds about Lower Nuimi,” Sonko declared, “as the number of votes the President has in this area surpasses any other district in the country. We are ready to replicate this support in the 2026 presidential election.”
Representing the women of the area, Nyaka Ndong thanked President Barrow for defying critics by completing the Hakalang Road. She called for similar road improvements in Jokadou before the 2026 elections and urged the government to ensure groundnut payments are made in cash.
She also praised the reduction in the cost of electricity meters from D7,000 to D500, describing it as a testament to the President’s commitment to addressing community challenges.
Omar Drammeh expressed optimism about the upcoming trade season, thanking the government for affordable fertiliser. However, he warned that limiting the number of seccos (groundnut buying centres) to 50 would create difficulties for farmers and affect political engagement. He urged the government to expedite the trade season to prevent middlemen from exploiting farmers with unfair prices.
Lady Councillor Adama Barrow lauded the President’s efforts in women’s empowerment and pledged continued support from the women of Lower Nuimi. She called for increased access to agricultural resources for women and urged the Ministers of Agriculture and Gender to address the disparity. She also requested storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and fencing for deteriorating women’s gardens.
Government response and commitments
Minister Sabally reaffirmed agriculture as a central pillar of the Barrow administration, noting that over D1 billion was invested last year, with D1.7 billion earmarked for this year. He clarified that more than 100 seccos would be operational, but farmers must settle outstanding debts.
He highlighted the availability of cold storage in Maka Farafenni and announced plans for another facility in Ndungou Kebbeh under the Roots Project. Sabally also reported that new gardens in several villages were 90% complete and repairs to existing gardens were underway, all aimed at empowering women. He encouraged farmers to apply for government-subsidised tractors, which require only 25% deposit of the total cost.
Fisheries and Water Resources Minister, Musa Drammeh informed residents that the government is actively drilling boreholes across the country, including in marketplaces, as part of a broader initiative to provide clean and potable water.
President Barrow’s assurance
President Barrow thanked the people of Lower Nuimi for their enthusiastic reception and assured them that their concerns would be addressed. He highlighted the government’s investment of over D1 billion in groundnut purchases last year and reiterated his commitment to improving the agricultural sector.
On banking issues, he explained that the system was designed to protect farmers’ earnings. Regarding infrastructure, he pledged the construction of over 500km of roads, including 150 agricultural roads to ensure farmers can access their fields.
He stressed that his administration had surpassed previous governments in road infrastructure and would continue to prioritise development. On women’s empowerment, he cited the expansion of micro-finance opportunities and increased access to electricity in rural communities.
Concluding, President Barrow said: “We are committed to ensuring that whatever you missed over the decades, you will have it under my government,” President Barrow concluded.
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