The big question, however, is CAN WE FEED OURSELVES? There is no denying that the problem of food is the most pressing problem of our time. NAPOLEON had stated that “An Army marches on its stomach.” If this is true of The Gambian situation, every individual must be free from hunger before one can direct his or her energy toward a productive life in society. Lack of food security is the source of the current public outcry about the high cost of living. It is to be noted that the ‘bread and butter issue’ carries political ramifications and therefore, deserves priority attention of government. The current efforts of His Excellency, President Adama Barrow’s government to ensure food self- sufficiency in the country are commendable. However, accelerated commercial agriculture activity will produce greater output in the economy. This is why the empowerment of private sector players in agriculture becomes relevant. What is being advanced here, is that it is not possible to overcome the problems of food shortages, hikes in food prices, in foreign exchange difficulties, rising costs of imported goods, inflation and so forth, unless we are able to expand the productive capacity of the economy in strategic terms. For an economy that is undergoing a crisis situation and in which the majority are dependent on the farm, it is only logical that we emphasize and prioritize agriculture as our way to economic development. Agriculture is the most strategic factor of our economic development. The current Agriculture production should widely be conducted in crop diversification under scientific and extension services guidance. The government should, as a deliberate plan, encourage greater food production and to discourage food importation to a large extent even though this will not be welcomed by the business environment that is dominated by foreigners. The National interest in this regard, should take precedence over greedy businessmen. It is illogical to emphasize food security on one hand and on the other hand, allow importers of food commodities to have a stranglehold over government policy decisions in agriculture production for food security. Kwame Nkrumah had warned Africa that “Everytime we import goods that can be produced and manufactured at home if all the conditions were available, we are delaying our economic growth and furthering our economic dependence.” After 60 years of nationhood, it is time for a complete paradigm shift in the country’s agriculture policy. It is time to move the country from a consumer society to a food security and export society. It is time to move away from subsistence farming practices to commercial agriculture production with value chain possibilities. Indians, for example, buy local cashew nuts at low prices D50- D60 per kilo. These nuts are exported to India where the selling price to factories is $11 - $12 per kilo according to sources. The Nuts are processed by their factories to add value and exported to America and elsewhere at high prices. This exploitation of poor Gambian Cashew producers in the name of the so-called Cashew Alliance must end. It should be considered a National responsibility for the country to take ownership of its agricultural produce. It is time for the government to nationalise Cashew Nuts farming as a cash crop rather than allow foreigners to continue to exploit poor farmers during the buying season with poor prices while they make millions from exports of the crop. It is time to create possibilities for food processing, packaging, storage and marketing of all agriculture products. Gambians who have the knowledge in this field and the capability to handle the business should be empowered by the State. This will mean that by our own efforts, we shall earn our keep. The prosperity of the country depends on Gambians taking the lead in all spheres of economic activity. We have overcome the fears of Independence as a Nation. We can face the challenges of agriculture as a vehicle for economic development. Agriculture is either the key or answer to sustainable development. If we want our march for self-reliance and development to be meaningful, we must fight against economic poverty through agricultural means. The Ministry of Agriculture should redirect donor money toward Commercial agriculture as the support of subsistence farming will never ensure food security for the country. The Agriculture sector has been so endowed with donor money over the years and yet, the country is food poor. If we don’t think hard, agriculture will not be in the right direction.
