By: Sandally Sawo
President Adama Barrow, announced on Monday that this year’s farmgate price for groundnut is pegged at D38, 000.
The Gambian leader also announced that this year’s groundnut marketing begins on 4 December.
“Last year, farmers were happy that the groundnut price was D32,000 but this year, it’s D38,000,” President Barrow said at Pakau Njogu in Lower Niumi during his first meeting of the Meet-The-People-Tour.
He, however, issued a stern warning to private groundnut dealers to stick to the government’s established rule of engagement for groundnut purchase this year or face the wrath of the law.
“Agents must acquire a license from the government to be able to purchase groundnut. All the groundnuts they buy must be certified by the customs before they are taken out of the country. Customs charges will be imposed and any dealer, who does not comply with this arrangement, will face the full force of the law. I always tell people not to fear me but the law. You must follow the rules of engagement. We’ve advised the IGP to arrest anyone for any unlawful movement of groundnuts across the border,” the President stressed.
He gave farmers the assurance that their money would be fully paid as the government had contracted banks to serve as intermediaries between them and the government in the groundnut trade.
“The banks will pay farmers this year. Banks will not slash your money,” he stated.
He told groundnut farmers that his government has the resources and capacity to buy their produce.
“Accumulate your groundnut and we will buy all. I would like to entreat you to sell to the government. We cannot dictate to anyone,” Mr. Barrow said.
