China’s Support Fuels Remarkable Growth in Gambia’s Agricultural Sector, Says Minister
The Gambia’s agricultural sector has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, largely due to China’s support and technical assistance, according to Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Wednesday, Sabally highlighted the transformative impact of Chinese collaboration on the country’s farming industry.
Sabally revealed that Gambia’s agricultural productivity has seen steady growth, with rice production reaching a historic high of over 48,000 tons in 2024. He credited this milestone to innovations in infrastructure and the introduction of high-yield agricultural technologies by Chinese teams.
“Chinese technical teams have played a pivotal role in our agricultural development by introducing various high-quality rice varieties, including high-yield and hybrid seeds,” Sabally said.
The partnership between The Gambia and China in agricultural technology has deepened significantly in recent years. The second phase of the China-Gambia Agricultural Technology Cooperation Project, launched on February 24, 2023, is now progressing smoothly. Key achievements include advancements in high-yield technology demonstrations, variety selection and promotion, technical training, and infrastructure support. Gambian authorities have lauded the project for its contributions to high-yield cultivation techniques, rice production mechanization, and support for local agricultural cooperatives.
Sabally emphasized that Chinese experts have been instrumental in addressing numerous challenges in The Gambia’s farming sector. “During both phases of cooperation, many Gambian agricultural officials received training in China, while Chinese experts provided technical guidance to local officials and farmers here,” he explained. “These training programs have enabled us to achieve mechanization in land preparation, planting, harvesting, and processing.”
Thanks to the promotion of high-yield cultivation techniques, large-scale farms in The Gambia have achieved a maximum hybrid rice yield of 10.8 tonnes per hectare, while farmer-managed plots average around seven tons per hectare. Core demonstration areas have showcased over 20 high-yield rice varieties, including all 11 mainstream conventional rice varieties of The Gambia and nine Chinese hybrid rice varieties.
Between 2023 and 2024, Sabally visited China twice, where he was deeply impressed by the country’s agricultural modernization and urban development. “We have greatly benefited from China’s development experience. Decades ago, China’s economic situation was similar to ours, but they achieved remarkable progress through efficient development strategies,” he noted.
During his visits, Sabally toured multiple rice-growing regions in China, observing advanced land planning, irrigation systems, and water resource management practices. “Our goal is to learn from China, achieve food security, and reduce reliance on imports. The Gambia aims to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2030,” he stated.
Sabally underscored the importance of food security as a matter of national security, emphasizing that it remains a top priority for the Gambian government. “A country lacking food security cannot achieve stability and development. That is why we are investing heavily in farmland development, agricultural mechanization, and talent cultivation, while actively seeking cooperation with countries like China to learn from their successful experiences,” he explained.
In conclusion, Sabally expressed The Gambia’s commitment to continuing its collaboration with China. The country plans to send more agricultural personnel to China for advanced training and looks forward to deeper cooperation in agricultural modernization, technological innovation, and talent development.
Source : China News
