The innovative platform funded by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is set to revolutionise agricultural trade in the country by connecting farmers, buyers and transporters, for efficiency and growth in the agricultural value chain.
It will also offer a comprehensive set of functionalities that facilitates seamless collaboration and boosts market linkages in the country’s horticultural sector.
By simply accessing the platform through WhatsApp or visiting the website, farmers, buyers, and service providers can easily connect and engage in agricultural trade activities.
"The platform's WhatsApp number, +220 529 3333 would now allows users to register and access the various features and services," according to a statement from ITC.
The plaform will ensure direct contact between farmers and buyers, enabling local market linkages and efficient transportation solutions to connect buyers and farmers with transporters for logistics and timely delivery of agricultural goods and access to financial services and provide information and guidance on financial service providers.
The platform will also provide access to market price information through collaboration with Roots.
The Jokkalante Market Platform in essence eliminates traditional barriers to trade and benefits the entire agricultural value chain.
"E-commerce is an increasingly important aspect of today's economy. It offers opportunities to overcome traditional obstacles to trade, including the costs associated with physical distance. This opens unprecedented opportunities for businesses to engage in cross-border trade. The Jokkalante Market Platform has been developed within The Gambia, taking into account the unique needs of our local context."
Lamin Dampha, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, The Gambia disclosed that the goal of the platform is to boost local production by improving market linkages.
"With its user-friendly WhatsApp bot, the platform makes it easy for farmers to connect with buyers, promoting the sale of local produce. By simplifying the trade process, we empower farmers and contribute to the growth of the horticultural sector in The Gambia."
Milena Niehaus, ITC project manager for Jokkalante, explained that before, they had to go to neighbouring countries to source horticultural products.
"That has changed with the launch of the Jokkalante Market platform. Now, we are able to buy from local producers through the platform."
Isatou Nyassi, a buyer, lamented some of the challenges they encountered which includes marketing.
"Marketing is a challenge for every producer, and the platform has come to address this challenge. It is really helping us because it is user-friendly. The platform has started yielding fruits, and we have started using it to sell our produce."
