The European Union and the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship–Agriculture–Development (COLEAD) have launched a €19 million agricultural development initiative aimed at reshaping The Gambia’s agri-food sector and boosting food security.

The programme, known as Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations (SPRING), is a five-year intervention designed to strengthen agricultural value chains, improve rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable economic growth.

The initiative will focus on priority crops including mango, groundnuts, tomato, onion and other nutrient-rich produce, with the aim of increasing local production, reducing reliance on imports, and improving national nutrition outcomes.

EU Ambassador to The Gambia Imma Roca i Cortés said the programme will help unlock rural economic potential while strengthening domestic production systems.

She noted that the intervention is expected to create sustainable opportunities for farmers and rural communities through improved productivity and market access.

“We will pay particular attention to supporting women in the sector,” she added, stressing the importance of inclusive agricultural development.

The SPRING programme will also support institutional strengthening and promote climate-smart agriculture as part of efforts to address challenges facing the sector, including productivity gaps and climate vulnerability.

By Adama Makasuba