Agriculture ministry has issued a statement to announce a subsidise sale of bag of fertilizer for 2,500 dalasis.

The announcement comes amid farmers outrcry after the government earlier announced that a bag of fertilizer will sell for 3500 dalasis.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, it has agreed “after series of consultations and meetings to sell the bags of fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized price of D2,500 per bag. Understandably, the current market price marks a significant hike from the previous year’s price.

“Despite the efforts of the Gambia Government in making the fertilizer affordable, like many other importing countries, it is susceptible to any exogenous shocks such as price increases and disruption in world trade as is being experienced currently. 

“In general, any increase in the external cost of commodities translates directly to higher importation cost and as a result higher price of commodities.”

“This extends to the price of fertilizer as well. Albeit the many challenges, the ministry is working tirelessly to address the concerns raised by farmers on the high cost of fertilizer. All efforts are currently geared towards further reduction of the proposed price to a much lower amount, as well as towards increasing the number of bags on the ones that have been already bought.

The public is thereby reminded that the agriculture sector is the most important sector of the Gambian economy, contributing 20% of the gross domestic product, and providing employment and income for 70% of mainly the rural population.

“Therefore, the Ministry will not relent in consolidating the gains that have been registered in the sector.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba