Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally has described reliable agricultural data as the foundation of food security and national development, urging enumerators to carry out the 2026 National Agricultural Census with professionalism to ensure government policies are guided by accurate information.

Speaking at the closing of a two-week training programme for enumerators, Mr Sabally said the nationwide census would provide the government with comprehensive data needed to improve agricultural planning, measure the impact of interventions and guide future investments in the sector.

“The National Agricultural Census is the backbone of agricultural planning,” he said, adding that quality data is essential for addressing food insecurity and strengthening evidence-based policymaking.

The training, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security with support from development partners, prepared hundreds of enumerators who will soon be deployed across the country to collect information on crop production, livestock, fisheries and rural livelihoods.

Sabally urged the field officers to conduct the exercise with integrity, impartiality and professionalism, stressing that the credibility of the census depends on the quality of the information gathered from farming communities.

Mohammed L. Janneh, Project Coordinator of the Health Security and Human Capital Project for West and Central Africa (HISWACA), reaffirmed the project’s commitment to strengthening The Gambia’s agricultural statistics system through technical and financial support.

He said reliable agricultural data remains critical to improving planning, increasing productivity and supporting sustainable development across the country.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Juldeh Mballow thanked the government and development partners for investing in their training and assured them that the enumerators are ready to undertake the nationwide exercise.

The HISWACA Project has previously supported agricultural surveys by providing 85 motorcycles, two Prado vehicles and refurbishing office facilities to strengthen field operations.

The project also acknowledged the technical support of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics in implementing the census.

The 2026 National Agricultural Census is expected to generate comprehensive data that will shape agricultural policies, strengthen food security programmes and support sustainable development in The Gambia.

By Adama Makasuba