Africa-Press – Gambia. President Adama Barrow has handed over modern agricultural production and processing equipment to farmers under the Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development (GIRAV) Project, funded by the World Bank and the Government of The Gambia.
The handover took place on Tuesday at Brikambaa. President Barrow described the presentation as a demonstration of his government’s commitment to national food security and self-sufficiency. “At the core of our development agenda is the transformation of agriculture from subsistence-based production to a modern, resilient, and commercially viable sector, capable of feeding our nation and driving economic growth,” he said.
Highlighting the role of mechanisation, President Barrow noted that traditional labour-intensive farming methods have limited productivity and discouraged youth participation. Through initiatives such as GIRAV, his government is investing in labour-saving technologies to improve efficiency and output across the agricultural value chain.
The equipment handed over includes mini-combine harvesters, power tillers, rice threshers, maize shellers, and milling machines. The President said these tools would enable timely land preparation, planting, harvesting, and processing, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing food availability and farmer incomes.
President Barrow further emphasised that the GIRAV project supports climate-smart technologies, improved seed systems, and digital advisory services, in line with the national strategy to build a resilient agricultural sector capable of withstanding external shocks.
He expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its continued partnership and support and commended the Ministry of Agriculture, the Central Projects Coordination Unit (CPCU), and all implementing partners for their contributions to the project.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the President urged farmers to take full ownership of the equipment and to maintain and utilise it cooperatively within their communities to maximise its impact.
In conclusion, President Barrow reaffirmed his government’s commitment to investing in agriculture, mechanisation, and value addition to achieve food security, reduce import dependency, and strengthen economic resilience.
