President Barrow recently received the brief survey report on the potential rice cultivation sites, and the acquisition of land for investments in The Gambia at State House, Banjul.
The presentation is in line with his Government’s drive to enhancing productivity and food security as well as job creation for Gambians.
Upon receiving the report, President Barrow expressed appreciation for the update and advised the Taskforce to expand the survey to a national scale that will provide bankable data for future and potential investors.
He urged the working group to also work on a standard template to harmonize the leasing of land for investment purposes as well as ensuring the legal acquisition of landed property.
Following presentations by Mr. Muhammed Jah, Businessman and CEO of the QGroup and CEO of The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Authority (GIEPA), Mr. Ousainou Senghore, discussions were held with Government technocrats and officials from the Ministries of Lands, Agriculture and Trade, as well as the Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Mr. Mod Ceesay.
The discussions led by the Minister of Lands, Honourable Abba Sanyang centered on the processes for acquisition and allocation of land for agri-business, potential land for investment purposes in areas of agriculture and industrial development.
Rice production was one of the priority areas President Barrow discussed with the Korean Ambassador to The Gambia, H.E. Kim Ji-Joon when he presented his Letter of Credence to him earlier in June. The President was pleased to get updates on the fruitful partnership between the Q Group and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Mr. Jah reported that they have already identified 1000 hectares of land for piloting all-year-round rice production and farming. The identification was based on technical advice regarding the topology, structures and access to utilities that are suitable for mechanized farming.
He added that he is optimistic that it can expand to 10,000 hectares within four years.
“The goal is for the country to feed itself from locally produced rice in the shortest possible time.” Jah noted.
On the GIEPA presentation, Mr. Senghore emphasized the need for coherence and zonal allocation of land for industries and other investments nationwide.
The Lands Ministry guided the discussion on the legal acquisition of land and updated the meeting that it is working on harmonizing its land criteria systems to combat double ownership and related challenges.
Source: Office of the president,
