The National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger relations with the media, underscoring the vital role of journalism in promoting transparency, accountability, and national food security.
This renewed partnership was the focus of a one-day media engagement workshop held on Wednesday, 12th November 2025, at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau. The forum brought together 25 journalists from various print, broadcast, and online media outlets to deepen their understanding of the Corporation’s operations and explore collaborative ways to enhance public communication within the agricultural sector.
Speaking at the opening, NFSPMC Managing Director, Muhammad Njie, described the media as an indispensable partner in the Corporation’s mission to inform the public and drive national development.
“The media is a key partner to the Corporation because without the media, we cannot reach our target audience,” Njie stated. “This engagement reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, innovation, and effective communication in advancing food security and empowering farmers.”
He noted that the NFSPMC has undertaken series of reforms to improve operational efficiency and modernise its service delivery from digitising farmer payment systems to operating state-of-the-art processing facilities and promoting fair trade across the country’s key agricultural commodities.
Njie emphasised that effective communication and public awareness are fundamental pillars of the Corporation’s mandate.
“We want to ensure that Gambians are fully informed about our efforts, challenges, and the transformation taking place within the Corporation and the agricultural sector as a whole,” he said. “The media plays a crucial role in telling this story in shaping public understanding and in holding us accountable as we work towards national food self-sufficiency.”
The Managing Director added that the workshop serves as a platform for open dialogue and mutual learning between the Corporation and media practitioners.
“We value your partnership and look forward to continued collaboration in sharing accurate information, clarifying public perceptions, and amplifying the voices of our farmers and stakeholders,” he said.
NFSPMC’s overarching objectives include promoting local food production and processing, enhancing market access for agricultural and non-agricultural products, improving livelihoods and nutrition, and contributing to poverty reduction through sustainable agribusiness and export generation.
During the engagement, Pa Nderry Touray, journalist and trainer from Star FM, commended the NFSPMC for initiating the media training and urged participants to continue embracing positive and responsible journalism.
“Positive journalism does not mean ignoring challenges,” Touray said. “It means reporting with fairness, balance, and context highlighting both progress and problems in a way that promotes solutions and national development.”
He further encouraged journalists to use the power of the media to inform, educate, and inspire confidence in public institutions while maintaining professionalism and integrity.
“Together, we can build a more informed and united Gambia,” he concluded.
The workshop ended with renewed optimism for stronger collaboration between the NFSPMC and the media, as both sides pledged to work hand in hand in advancing the nation’s food security agenda and ensuring the public remains well-informed.
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