Africa-Press – Gambia. The United Democratic Party (UDP) stands firmly with the farmers of The Gambia, the true heroes who feed our nation and fuel our economy. Today, we raise our voices in righteous anger against the Barrow government’s heartless betrayal of our farmers. While the government enjoys the fruits of power, it has stolen the harvest from those who toil under the sun to keep this nation alive.
The Barrow government is the only government that robs its own farmers in broad daylight. The Barrow administration has seized control of the groundnut trade, creating the National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC) as the sole buyer of farmers’ groundnuts. This is not just unfair, it is unconstitutional! The Gambia is a democracy, and farmers have the right to sell their hard-earned crops to whoever offers the best price. Yet, this government has chained them to a broken system, forcing them to sell at last year’s prices while inflation soars and their costs rise.
Does President Barrow really care about the farmers? We say no. Civil servants, the President, and his Ministers have all received salary increases. The farmer on the other hand —who breaks his back to feed the nation—is forced to accept less while waiting for months to get paid for his groundnuts. The rainy season is coming, and Tobaski is near, yet many farmers have not been paid a single dalasi for their groundnuts. How will they buy new clothes and rams? How will they feed their families?
President Barrow and his government designed a monopolistic system to exploit the farmers:
Price Freeze = Economic Theft – While the cost-of-living skyrockets, farmers are trapped selling at outdated prices. This is not policy—it is robbery!
State Monopoly = No Freedom – By banning private buyers, the government has stolen the market from farmers, leaving them with no choice, no competition, and no fair price.
Empty Promises = Broken Trust – The government took their groundnuts on credit yet now treats their payments as an afterthought. Farmers are left begging for what is rightfully theirs!
The UDP will not stay silent while Gambian farmers are starved of their dignity. We demand:
· Immediate payment of all outstanding dues—before Tobaski, before the rains.
· An end to price manipulation—farmers deserve real value for their sweat and sacrifice.
· Freedom for the market—let farmers sell to whoever pays best and let private buyers operate without oppression.
The UDP stands with you. To every farmer listening: Your struggle is ours. This government has failed you, but we will fight for you. The Barrow administration’s actions are unjust, cruel, and economically destructive. If they can not manage the groundnut sector, they have no right to control it while you suffer!
The time for patience is over. The time for excuses is done.
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