Experts warn that unless The Gambia invests more in its agric sector, attracting its teeming young people, food security, job creation, and poverty reduction will remain an elusive dream.
It is a fact that the sector has long been the lifeline of The Gambia, feeding families, sustaining rural life and driving the economy. Despite its importance, the sector continues to underperform with most farmers now over the age of 50.
For some young people, who are the most energetic, often see farming as outdated, time consuming and or even their ‘last resort’. Meanwhile, as more and more people continue to leave rural areas for the urban settlements, this old trade is fast-losing its glorious days.
This trend, which later came to be known rural-urban drift, has affected or nearly crippled the country’s agric sector especially in rural Gambia; as fewer or the little existing available lands in urban centres, are fast turning into residential settlements.
According to the UNFPA World Population Dashboard, 57 percent of Gambians fall within the working-age bracket of 15 to 64. More importantly, young people from their teens to mid-thirties make up the majority of that group. This means youth could be the biggest drivers of innovation and transformation in agriculture, given the right opportunities.
Experts believe that ‘if more young Gambians embrace farming with skill and ambition, the country’s path to greatness in terms of food security is within reach. This will also help the country in not only strengthening food security, but also help in reducing unemployment and curb desperation that pushes many to take illegal route of entering Europe widely referred to as ‘backway’.
Many argue that before youth risk their lives at sea, they could have found dignity and income in agriculture, while reducing social ills such as drug abuse and frustration that stems from joblessness.
Fatou Manneh, is the founder of Jelma Herbella, an agro food processing enterprise that works with women farmers in the agriculture value chain.
Jelma Herbella processes herbs into different product most specifically into tea, herbal spices, baby food and also packaged honey that is produced by women in rural Gambia.
“Most of the things we consume here are imported not produced in the Gambia, so I thought of the need to also venture into something that would add value and contribute to the economy.” she stated.
Elsewhere in Jamburr Francis Gomez started with just ten chicks in his poultry venture. Despite setbacks including power shortages that forced him to use charcoal to heat his coop, he has expanded it to 47 chicks and hopes to scale up further.
“If young farmers are given support from government and stakeholders, it will motivate us to do better and reduce the importation of food,” Francis told this reporter.
Another youngster, Sadibou Saho is plying his trade as a fruit farmer, growing oranges, lemons, bananas, and papayas.
What started as an idea two years ago has turned into a small but determined project over the past nine months.
“I see agriculture as a roadmap to development,” he said. “I’m looking forward to opportunities for training and finance that will help me expand my farm and adapt to new trends.”
Yet both Francis and Sadibou face obstacles along the way that are common to many young farmers: lack of access to land, financing, modern tools, and reliable markets.
For Sadibou, without land and capital, his ambitions remain limited, while Francis also struggled with limited resources and fears theft in the isolated area where he now farms.
Agricultural experts say these stories highlight the urgent need for stronger support system, with a particular focus on youth-friendly financing, access to land, and training in modern techniques.
This, they believe, could change the status quo and make agriculture not just a survival strategy but a business opportunity for young Gambians.
“If we want to develop, we should be serious about youth in agriculture,”one local advocate noted.
“The mindset has to change. When young people see their peers’ branding eggs, producing fruits, and supplying local markets, the narrative shifts from farming as a struggle to farming as enterprise.”
