The Republic of The Gambia, through its Ministry of Agriculture and partners, has validated an ambitious National Rice Investment Action Plan (NRIAP) on Monday, 25th May 2026.
NRIAP is a five-year investment plan that adequately captures and costs the existing gap in the national rice subsistence drive, with a total envelope of US$329.5 million.
The objective is to engage experts in rice production, obtain their views on the plan, and secure funding for this ambitious initiative.
In his welcoming remarks, the Coordinator of the Central Project Coordination Unit (CPCU), Mamour Alieu Jagne, said that the validation of the plan is a requisite, adding that it must reflect the wishes and aspirations of the citizenry regarding rice production and food self-sufficiency.
He noted that the plan is the culmination of a rigorous process and urged citizens to “all rally behind this national effort. Let us work towards a lasting legacy for our sector — rice self-sufficiency by 2030.”
The President of the National Farmers’ Association, Dr. Musa Sowe, stressed the need to give the plan full support in order to secure the funding required to boost rice production in The Gambia. “If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else has the chance to do the right thing. In this country, rice is our national security. It is also the economy of this country,” he said.
Dr. Sowe reiterated the importance of maximizing rice production efforts, noting that the country depends heavily on rice imports. “We import over 300,000 tons of rice in this country, and the importation is facilitated using hard currency. That is why when people cry out and say that food is expensive, it is expensive because we have no control over foreign exchange. Our food dependency is tied to the fact that we have to import,” he explained.
He described the plan as a clear roadmap that would ensure coordination, collaboration, and partnership in achieving its objectives.
Dr. Sowe also acknowledged the challenges farmers face, including unpredictable weather, rising fertilizer costs, and low production capacity due to inadequate fertilizer supplies. “We still have to import fertilizer, as well as equipment and machinery. But with this investment document, we can tell the ministry what kind of machinery we need to ensure food security,” he added.
