Africa-Press – Gambia. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Security, Demba Sabally, has unveiled a $161 million National Agricultural Investment Plan targeting the rice, onion, and poultry value chains during the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum in Rome, Italy. The event formed part of the World Food Forum and FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations.
According to the ministry, the investment plan aims to close critical production gaps and boost national food security. The breakdown includes $126.9 million for rice, $24 million for onions, and $10 million for poultry, with a projected 19.1 percent return on investment and more than 500,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries.
Addressing the forum, Minister Sabally emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of The Gambia’s economy, contributing 30 percent to GDP, employing nearly half of the working population, and sustaining over 80 percent of rural livelihoods.
He identified rice, onion, and poultry as key commodities for private sector investment under the FAO-led Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiHI)—a program designed to accelerate agricultural transformation through evidence-based targeting, partnerships, and investment matchmaking.
“Investing in agriculture is investing in food and nutrition security, job creation, poverty reduction, and lowering the food import bill,” Minister Sabally stated.
He told international investors that the initiative offers The Gambia a unique opportunity to transform its agrifood system, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Minister Sabally assured participants that The Gambia offers a conducive investment environment, supported by strong political will and investor-friendly regulations. “A major enabler for a safe investment with high returns is the political will offered to private sector players by President Adama Barrow,” he added.
The Gambian delegation, which included officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the FAO Representation in The Gambia, and private agribusinesses such as Emkay Foods and Jah Oil, held several bilateral meetings with investors from Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Engagements with companies such as Biosoliz Systems, RAESA, and Wuhan Seeds focused on rice irrigation, chemical-free soil regeneration, and agribusiness training. The parties agreed to explore technical cooperation and future investment missions to The Gambia.
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