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A landmark event was held in Abuko, Banjul in June 2024, where the Gambian Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the World Bank and CORAF, officially launched the national certified seed distribution campaign for the year 2024. On this occasion, 250 tons of certified seeds were handed over to the Ministry for distribution to vulnerable farmers across the country, with the aim of improving agricultural productivity for the 2024 growing season. This initiative is part of the World Bank-funded Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV).

High-quality seeds to improve harvests

The seeds include 150 tonnes of certified maize of seven different varieties and 100 tonnes of certified rice of six varieties. These high-quality seeds were sourced from local farms as well as from Senegal and Mali, thanks to technical assistance from CORAF. CORAF facilitated the supply of the seeds, as part of a sub-component for which it is responsible. 

" The shipment of seeds from Senegal and Mali to The Gambia once again illustrates the importance and effectiveness of regional harmonization of seed regulations and policies. This promotes the development of a robust seed industry throughout the region, and speeds up cross-border seed procedures, essential for achieving food and nutritional security ," explains Dr Caroline MAKAMTO SOBGUI, Technology and Innovation Scaling Expert at CORAF. 

For Dr Demba SABALLY, Gambia's Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, data and testimonies from the field have shown that the 2022 and 2023 seed subsidies carried out with the support of the GIRAV project have made a remarkable contribution to increasing production and productivity, as well as boosting the incomes of smallholders. " Some have become certified seed producers, while others sell their agricultural production to local poultry farmers, reducing the perennial challenge of access to poultry feed," he added. 

Encouraging local seed production

Minister SABALLY urged farmers to start producing their own seeds to ensure greater sustainability. He also encouraged players in rice, corn and poultry innovation platforms to step up their activities to stimulate job creation and economic growth.

" The rice varieties distributed are salt, flood and drought tolerant, suitable for a variety of ecologies. The corn seeds are also early and high-yielding. This initiative will benefit at least 12,500 small-scale farmers across the country, over 50% of whom are women," said Abdoulie TOURAY, GIRAV Project Coordinator. 

Morro MANGA, Director General of the Gambia's National Seed Secretariat, reiterates the importance of certified seed in boosting agricultural production. " Quality seeds are essential for improving agricultural production and productivity. The seeds purchased by the GIRAV project have undergone a rigorous certification process in line with national and ECOWAS-CILSS regulations," asserted Morro Manga. 

This initiative, orchestrated by the Ministry of Agriculture, the World Bank and CORAF, marks an important step towards food security in The Gambia. The GIRAV project, with its initiatives to improve agricultural productivity and support smallholders, is playing a crucial role in agricultural transformation in The Gambia.