The graduation ceremony, held on 24 January, marked the completion of the 12th cohort of the GSI, a flagship programme implemented by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with UNDP The Gambia. Modelled on the renowned Songhai approach from Benin, the initiative equips young people with practical agricultural skills to drive livelihoods and community transformation.
The Class of 2025 comprises 21 men and 27 women, including two persons with disabilities and one migrant returnee, all aged between 18 and 35 years.
Project Coordinator Mbaye Seine explained that the initiative, established in 2015–2016, was designed to provide young Gambians with practical agricultural expertise. Since its inception, hundreds have graduated, gaining exposure across the agricultural value chain, including crop production, animal husbandry, agroforestry, vegetable gardening, food processing, beekeeping, biogas and aquaculture, alongside entrepreneurship training.
“The idea is simple: after one year of hands-on practical training, young people should be able to go out, start something for themselves and create employment. And we have proven that this works,” he said.
Employment remains a pressing challenge, particularly in rural Gambia, making initiatives like GSI vital. Of the graduating cohort, 31.9 per cent specialised in poultry production, 40.4 per cent in vegetable farming, 14.9 per cent in meat and dairy, and 12.6 per cent in fruit and non-fruit tree production. Encouragingly, 57.4 per cent of graduates expressed interest in self-employment, while others were open to wage employment, with several already in negotiations.
Minister for Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie reaffirmed the government’s commitment to skills development, stressing that agriculture remains the backbone of the Gambian economy. He emphasised that reducing food imports and creating decent jobs must begin with equipping young people with modern skills.
He also announced ongoing efforts to expand facilities at the centre to increase intake in the coming years.
Deputy Governor of North Bank Region, Dembo Samateh, described the graduation as more than a certificate-awarding ceremony. “Today is a celebration of skills acquired, minds transformed, and futures secured,” he said.
He praised the initiative for repositioning agriculture as a modern, profitable and respectable profession, while thanking the government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and UNDP for placing youth empowerment at the heart of national development.
UNDP representative Samba B. Jallow highlighted the importance of integrating young people into productive sectors such as agriculture, warning that failure to do so carries long-term social and economic costs. “Today’s graduation is not only a personal achievement; it is a national investment,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mariama O. Tamba, the head girl explained how the one-year training had transformed their mindset about farming. She described how the integrated farming system taught sustainability, zero waste and agribusiness thinking. “We are not going home to sit idle. We are taking these skills back to our communities to feed the nation and create jobs,” she declared.
Later in the afternoon, the minister and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Farafenni Mini Stadium and Youth Centre, where they held discussions with community leaders and facility managers, rounding off a day that placed youth skills, agriculture and community engagement firmly at the centre of the ministry’s national tour.
