Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia Standards Bureau is intensifying efforts to safeguard farmers and ensure fair trade in the Gambia that brought together stakeholders from different sectors through a focused sensitization event held on Wednesday.
Mr. Ebrima Musa Jallow, Director of Standardization at the Bureau, explained that as a government agency, the Bureau enforces quality and safety standards across various sectors including agriculture, petroleum, food products, and construction materials.
“We make sure that all goods entering and circulating in the country, from fans to food items and cement, comply with the law and meet required specifications,” Mr. Jallow said. He stressed the importance of public consultation before enforcing standards and the Bureau’s role in conducting inspections and issuing certificates to qualified operators.
A key highlight of the Bureau’s work is the calibration and regulation of weighing devices. “We have the authority to seize any faulty scales in use,” Mr. Jallow noted, emphasizing the crackdown on inaccurate weighing to protect farmers from unfair market practices.
Joining the discussion was Mr. Muhammed Gassama, Director of the Agricultural Directorate, who described the dialogue as critical in tackling issues faced by farmers. “Some products currently lack proper certification,” he said. “This event helps farmers understand standards so they know what to expect at harvest time.”
Mr. Gassama referenced Senegal’s system of trading goods by certified weight as a model for The Gambia. “We want to adopt similar regulations to ensure all agricultural products are sold transparently and fairly,” he added.
The event marks an important milestone in promoting quality standards and legal measurement practices in The Gambia’s agricultural sector a move that promises greater market trust and protection for farmers.
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