By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
In a recent development during the 2024/25 groundnut trading season, The Alkamba Times has learned that the Gambian government offers comparatively higher groundnut prices than neighboring Senegal. However, investigations reveal a nuanced picture that extends beyond pricing alone.
According to the information gathered, the Gambian government has set the price for groundnuts at thirty-eight dalasis (D38) per kilo, translating to thirty-eight thousand dalasis (D38,000) per ton, while the Senegalese government offers a slightly lower rate of approximately thirty-five dalasis (D35) per kilo and thirty-five thousand dalasis (D35,000) per ton.
These figures position Gambia as offering better direct pricing for groundnut farmers.
Despite the higher pricing, The Alkamba Times’ investigation uncovers a critical aspect where Senegal appears to have an edge in farmers’ support. The Senegalese government provides more substantial subsidies and support mechanisms for groundnut farmers, significantly impacting farming operations’ overall profitability and sustainability. These subsidies and support structures include inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and financial assistance programs, which are not as robust in Gambia.
Senegalese farmers benefit more substantially as their government provides fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized price of D600 per bag, compared to Gambia’s D1,200 per bag.
Payment methods also differ significantly between the two countries. Gambian farmers have expressed concerns over the government’s reliance on Qmoney transfer systems, while in Senegal, government-appointed agents pay farmers directly through bank accounts, with payments processed within three days.
The Gambia Farmers Union has raised concerns that groundnut farmers are compelled to download the QMoney Wallet to receive payment for their groundnuts.
The union’s cashier, Modou Mala Kah, told the media last week: “We plan to stage a protest. Farmers cry out daily because they face numerous challenges in accessing their payments.”
The union has informed the authorities that they cannot be compelled to use QMoney, but their complaints have been ignored.
“Farmers have to travel to other locations to withdraw their money, and even then, agents often report insufficient funds or network issues.”
Sainey Marenah, a prominent Gambian groundnut farmer now based in Senegal’s Tamba region, confirmed to The Alkamba Times that while Gambia offers higher pricing, Senegal provides more affordable fertilizer.
Marenah also highlighted the challenging season due to poor yields, emphasizing the need for enhanced subsidies from both governments to mitigate losses.
He advocates for increased government investment in processing facilities, aiming to transform raw groundnuts into finished products for export. This, he argues, could boost local economies and generate foreign currency.
As the trading season progresses, these complexities underscore the importance of balanced agricultural policies that consider both immediate pricing and long-term farmer support to ensure the sustainability and profitability of the groundnut farming sector in both countries.
In early December 2024, the Gambian government announced the start of the 2024 Groundnut Trade Season, which began on December 2, 2024, and will continue until March 2, 2025.
