By Mariatou Ngum
The Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, has expressed his ministry’s desire and commitment to see to it that the country’s domestic consumption depend on local production, in order to guarantee availability at all times. This, he said, will moderate prices as enough is supplied for the local consumers.
The minister was speaking at the end of his tour of Mak Food in Kafuta; Bakaf Farms in Bajiram, Foni; and Emkay Export and Agro Ltd in Foni Bondali. These farms produce potatoes, onions and pepper in large scale.
He said the long-term goal is for these firms to scale up and increase their production.
The Trade Minister and his entourage of senior officials and technicians are currently on a five days’ industrial tour of rural Gambia.
The objective of the tour is for the Hon. Minister to familiarise himself with the issues on the ground affecting industries and equally to get firsthand information on the facilitation of trade in and around the borders.
According to him, when it comes to investment, food commodity in this country can only be moderated if the source of production is controlled locally.
Investment in such farms, the Minister explained, requires a lot of planning and energy but that his Ministry will continue to give support in order to reduce the food import basket.
