By: Haruna Kuyateh
Farmers in the North Bank Region have welcomed the price on groundnut by the government and called for stable supply of cash.
Farmers in Farafenni, Kuntair, Kerewan and Chilla Jurunku, they expressed delight that this year trade season would contribute to enhance groundnuts production, disclosing that historic farm gate price per ton is at D28, 000.
They also expressed joy on farm gate price for ton of groundnuts at D28, 000 as attractive and commended government for the foresight and buying of groundnuts in the country.
Meanwhile, the payment agreement with AGIB has help to ensure availability of cash at various buying points since 2020.
Famara Fofana, a Secco Secretary of Farafenni received three payments of D3.3 million and purchased 100 tons of groundnuts and reiterated that GGC and AGIB should ensure regular supply of cash as farmers are bringing their nuts to secco.
Samba Sallah, President of Kuntair Secco received D2.9million for Crop financing of three tranche total to 100tons. He said that farmers are very much committed of selling their nuts to the seccos than crossing the border to Senegal.
According to him, there is high need for regular cash supply, because the last payment of D2million likely finished Sunday 19th December, calling on GGC to strengthen cooperative seccos by supplying them with farm inputs to help farmers have easy access and boost agricultural production.
Sulayman Jammeh Secco Secretary at Chilla Jurunku buying point said so far, they have received D3.5 million and with 100tons purchase from farmers. He said the respond from groundnuts farmers has been highly impressive, describing this year season successful.
Sheikh Abas Bah, of Toroba launched passionate appealed to GGC to consider reopening of Njawara Cooperative secco or buying point, saying that the absence contributed in creating more hardship for farmers.
“Due to lack of buying point in the area forced farmers to travel 10kilometers to Kerewan to sell their nuts and for those at the borderline are most likely to cross to Senegal,” he said.
Foday Gasama of Saaba Secco said D800, 000 for first crop financing was received and will start buying today Monday 20th December.
He expressed hope that farmers will bring their nuts and also calls on farmers to come forward and make best use of the opportunity.
