Muhammed Njie, who was speaking in a recent interview with the Popular Wake-UP Gambia Show hosted by Pa Nderry, disclosed that the Corporation has so far spent about one billion dalasis on groundnuts.
“We have 30,000 metric tons of groundnuts and it cost us nearly 1billion dalasis. This has never happened in the country.”
He recalled that last year the Corporation bought only 7,200 metric tons of groundnuts, adding that they are still going to buy more from farmers.
On the slow pace of the buying process, a concern raised by some farmers, MD Njie said that could be attributed to change in the international market, as China which is The Gambia main market in terms of groundnut trade has farmed one million tons of groundnuts, while India is also supplying them with groundnuts too.
Njie however, spoke about some challenges in the international market, which include increase in groundnut production by other countries such as India, which shares border with China which is also supplying tons of groundnuts.
“Imagine 1 billion dalasis has been spent already to buy nuts and we would endeavor to do more because we love the rural farmers and their interest is our priority.”
Mr. Njie lamented the aged machines used for peeling groundnuts, noting that his institution has rented ten machines to help make buying of groundnuts easier for farmers.
GGC boss also announced that fertilizers have been bought but added that this year’s fertilizers’ sale will be strictly monitored.
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