As part of this year’s Climate Week, and in advocacy for compliance with the Maputo Declaration, ActionAid International The Gambia, in partnership with Global Platform and others, has called for the implementation of the Maputo Protocol.
The engagement was held under the theme “10 Percent Investment in Agriculture and Rural Development for Food Sovereignty, Resilient Communities, and a Just Future for The Gambia.”
The Maputo Protocol, adopted in 2003 by the African Union, called on member states to allocate 10 percent of their national budgets toward agriculture to boost and enhance the sector, with objectives including eradicating food insecurity and promoting rural development.
Against this backdrop, the entities engaged the Select Committee on Agriculture of the National Assembly on Friday, 18th September 2026, focusing on the protocol, agricultural policy and development, as well as the signing and presentation of civil society demands on climate change.
Speaking on behalf of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Daniel Cardos, Deputy Clerk for Legislative and Procedural Matters, emphasized that for a country such as The Gambia, where agriculture remains the backbone of rural livelihoods and a critical pathway to food and nutrition security, the relevance of this commitment cannot be overstated.
“The National Assembly has a distinct and indispensable role to play in translating this continental commitment into reality. Through the budget approval process, oversight of ministries, departments, and agencies, and engagement with citizens through platforms such as our social audit and outreach programs, the National Assembly holds the power to ensure that our national investment in agriculture reflects both our international commitments and the everyday needs of Gambian farmers,” he said.
He further noted that the role of the committee is central, urging it to ensure that in its engagements with the Ministry of Agriculture, its scrutiny places it “at the very heart of ensuring that the promise of Maputo and indeed of Malabo is not left as words on paper, but is felt in the fields, the markets, and the homes of our people.”
Fafa O. Cham, Head of Programs and Policy at AAITG, stressed that the agriculture sector cannot be compromised, adding that it remains crucial not only to the Gambian economy but also to the livelihoods of many Gambians, while providing opportunities for citizens.
“The Maputo Declaration was not incidental. It was well calculated by those African heads of state who made this declaration because they were cognizant of the crucial role of agriculture in setting up the economies of African countries,” he said.
He highlighted the need for action to ensure the declaration is met, noting the importance of partners such as the committee, which scrutinizes budgets. He explained that the engagement was also meant to provide vital information to the National Assembly Select Committee “so that by the time they scrutinize the budget, they take into account that these are things we need.”
The engagement also addressed climate issues. Cham pointed out that although The Gambia contributes minimally to greenhouse gas emissions, it bears the brunt of climate change.
“It is unfortunate that those of us contributing very little to climate change are bearing its brunt. The whole of Africa contributes less than 4% of global emissions. Unfortunately, we suffer more than 70% of climate-related disasters. The Gambia is not an exception,” he said.
He revealed that The Gambia produces less than 0.01% of global emissions, yet the country annually faces flash floods, windstorms, erratic rainfall patterns, and long dry spells, making it difficult to predict rainfall. He blamed developed countries for causing climate change and urged them to invest heavily in addressing losses and damages.
Hon. Omar Darboe, Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee, stated: “This commitment is not only about meeting a budget target; it reflects the importance of agriculture to national development.”
He emphasized that in The Gambia, agriculture is closely linked to food and nutrition security, rural livelihoods, employment, and poverty reduction. Public investment in the sector, he said, therefore requires continual attention from parliament and the public.
“The 2026 national budget provided an important basis for assessing our progress. According to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs 2026 Citizen’s Budget, and the budget we approved here in 2026, the agricultural sector is projected to receive D7.10 billion, representing 11.97% of the approved 2026 budget,” he said.
He noted that although this figure is above the 10% Maputo Protocol threshold, the GLF-only figure remains below it. “We must therefore look beyond the headline percentage and examine the source, composition, predictability, and actual use of agricultural funds,” he concluded.
