The visit was meant to discuss with NFSPMC officials some of the successes registered in the 2023 groundnut trade season. It was also designed to officially congratulate the NFSPMC formerly Gambia Groundnut Corporation (GGC) for completing yet another groundnut trade season.
At the event, Babou Bah, president of Farmers Union, expressed delight on behalf of the country's farmers, for what he called the corporation's continued support towards to them over the past years.
"As farmers, we are aware of the huge sum of money (D1.4 billion) spent on purchasing nuts alone this season which is historic.”he said.
He recalled that his team visited the president sometime last year, during which they discussed with the Gambian leader on the way forward on the plight of farmers in the country.
He explained that at the meting the president promised them that the government would reduce the price of fertiliser and also give farmers a good farm gate price.
"Now that he has fulfilled his promise, we want to thank him profoundly." he stated.
For his part, Alagie Ceesay, vice president of the Union, commended the government and President Barrow for appointing Muhammad Njie as Managing Director of the Corporation.
Ceesay also commended government for its tireless efforts in making sure that farmers achieved their goals, saying the managing director of the corporation had been a blessing to Gambian farmers and his leadership was an exemplary and extraordinary.
He thanked MD Njie for his sense of humility as he would always listen to all and has an open door policy, for which he encouraged him to continue in that vein.
Modou Njie, Union Secretary General, highlighted the importance of teamwork, stressing the need to for all to continue the collaboration and hard work to build a country fit for purpose.
“I also want to highlight the key role played by the president in making sure that the price of fertiliser was affordable and accessible which played a vital role as in the bumper harvest this season." he said.
Lamin Sanyang, Deputy Managing Director of the Corporation, said the corporation would never progress without the farmers.
"We want to assure you that we will continue to give you the best of services,” he added.
For his part, Muhammad Njie, Managing Director of the GGC, thanked Farmer’s Union and by extension the entire farmer community in the country for their continuous support and patriotism.
"I can assure you 100% that the President is fully committed to making the farmers happy. I also want to remind you that last year alone, the President gave the farming community the Smart Farming Initiative which is historic. In the same year, he broke his record by paying the farmers the best price in the history of our nation." he added.
