Africa-Press – Gambia. Haji Suwaneh, youth president of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has pledged that a future UDP-led government would revitalize The Gambia’s agricultural sector through industrialization and increased investment if elected into office.
In a statement, Mr Suwaneh said the party intends to prioritize agriculture by promoting mechanization, reducing import dependency and increasing exports, while creating an enabling environment for farmers.
“We will ensure that farmers are supported to drastically reduce importation and increase export. We are not just talking about food self-sufficiency, but about creating conducive environment for cashew and vegetable farming through mechanized agriculture,” he remarked.
He adds that the UDP plans to establish cold storage facilities to help farmers preserve and add value to their produce, facilitating a shift from raw production to processed goods. According to him, such initiatives could be tailored to regions such as the North Bank and other parts of the country.
Mr Suwaneh said the proposed measures would boost employment opportunities, improve farmers’ incomes and contribute to transforming The Gambia into a middle-income country. He also outlined plans for the establishment of cotton-processing factories, oil-refining plants and animal feed factories, citing the availability of sufficient raw materials.
The UDP youth leader reiterated his party’s support for Ousainou Darboe as its candidate for the 2026 elections, stating that a UDP government would pursue constitutional reform and fiscal discipline to address corruption.
He further pledged that a UDP administration would allocate more than 10 percent of the national budget to agriculture, to enable year-round farming and positioning The Gambia as a regional hub for agricultural production.
