The high-level policy dialogue forum was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre under the theme: “Addressing the challenge of viable market opportunities for locally produced vegetables in the face of competition from imports”.
The forum, officials said, was aimed at creating an avenue for stakeholders in the vegetable value chain to have a fruitful discussion on challenges affecting the vegetable value chain and come up with substantive solutions for policy makers.
Speaking at the convergence, Mamour Alieu Jagne, roots project director, spoke on the significance of the forum, saying: “Roots project periodically organise policy dialogue forum with a view to address issues that may be impacting on the performance of the agricultural sector in general, but more specifically on the areas that are impacting on the roots project.”
One of these areas, he added, is the challenge of marketing, adding: “That’s why we thought this forum will be focusing on the issue of marketing locally produced vegetables. We also try to bring in all actors along the value chain. If you are trying to address the problem, you have to engage all the stakeholders and that’s the approach behind this forum,” he said.
Jagne further added: “Increasing production and productivity is a good thing. However, if it’s not accompanied with the market opportunity, it’s almost zero due to the fact that the many products you produce will perish, especially vegetables. That’s why it’s extremely important to solve these issues.”
The project, he added, has two technical pillars which is to increase productivity and increasing access to market, saying: “This policy dialogue forum encapsulates what component two is supposed to address. Therefore, we encourage you to be active in your participation with a view to come out with good recommendations that will address the issues of markets for local produce vegetables.”
For his part, Kutubo Jarju, a senior economist at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, said: “This event reflects our shared commitment to fostering sustainable economic development by addressing the challenges faced by local producers, particularly in the vegetable sector, as they compete with imported products.”
The agricultural sector, and particularly vegetable production, Jarju said, holds significant potential for enhancing food security, creating jobs, and contributing to economic growth. However, he was quick to add that this potential remains underutilised due to various challenges, including limited access to viable markets, infrastructure deficits, and the increasing competition posed by cheaper and often more accessible imports.
“Today’s dialogue is particularly timely as it provides a platform for policymakers, farmers, traders, and other stakeholders to engage in discussions and propose actionable solutions to bridge the gap between locally produced vegetables and market opportunities.”
Deputising for the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Alhagie Nyangado, the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture underscored the significant contribution of the roots project in increasing production and productivity among farmers, adding: “The roots project is very dear to the ministry of agriculture particularly the ministry’s senior management. Everywhere you go, you hear people talking about the impact the project is having on the beneficiary.”
He described the competition between the importers and the local produce as a “complex” matter, adding: “We are happy that people have sat down and decided that we should come together to reflect as stakeholders on the need to create a market for local produce products especially vegetables.”
He calls for active participation from the participants in order for them to brainstorm and bring issues so that it can translate into policies.
