Two young local entrepreneurs, namely Modou Ceesay and Mariama Touray of Lamin Daranka in West Coast Region, are doing production, sales and supply of pure organic honey and local juices such as baobab, ginger and wonjo [hibiscus]. Their clients are mainly supermarkets, mini-markets, and also individuals within their vicinity.
In addition, they also provide consultancy services by offering business advisory services as well as stock checking for mini markets.
In a recent telephone interview, Ceesay told this medium that they believe in the sales and supply of quality products, and from the best producers. He stressed that good products speak and sell for themselves in the market.
The organic farmer informed Mansa Banko Online that, they have a garden where they grow vegetables and fresh fruits like cassava, cucumber, tomatoes, and lettuce. “Our business is unique, simply because we believe we can make it here in The Gambia,” Ceesay held. He explained that the setting up of their business entity was informed by the numerous challenges they faced while working for other people, disclosing they had sacrificed their salaries to establish their organic pure honey and consultancy businesses by cutting their daily expenditures.
However, their undertaking is not without difficulties, as Ceesay pointed out that “logistics and the printing their business logos” were key challenges; in that they hire taxis for transportation while there was no enough capital to cater for such services. He said the coronavirus pandemic has also affected their business because they get their honey from different destinations and most countries closed their borders as a means of curbing the global pandemic.
“From our businesses, we are able to sponsor our children’s education as well as help those working around us through commissions,” Ceesay said of him and his business partner, Ms. Touray. He further spoke of the difficulties they are facing in getting lands for their organic farming and beekeeping activities in the country. Ceesay vouched that if organic farmers are motivated, Gambians are ready to take ownership of the industry.
The young entrepreneur, who studied Sales and Marketing and had previously worked with numerous organizations ranging from insurance, media to Medicare, said they have employed three people, all of them are paid on a commission basis. Ceesay called on the Barrow-led government to motivate people who are willing to work by providing them with funds which, he believes, would enable them to achieve their dreams.
Equally, he enjoined Gambian youth to desist from attempting the perilous back-way journey to Europe. Claiming there are plenty of opportunities in the country for them, Ceesay was quick to add that lack of funds are the real challenges that rendered the implementation of such projects almost impossible for the young people of this country.
