By: Haruna Kuyateh
Nearly two months after the close of the 2024/2025 groundnut trade season, many farmers across The Gambia are still waiting to be paid for their produce, sparking frustration and hardship within rural communities.
In an interview with The Voice at the Kuntair SECCO, Samba Sallah, President of the North Bank Region (NBR) Farmers’ Association, revealed that QMoney owes farmers for 21 tons and 270 grams of groundnuts—valued at over D789,000.00 which remains unpaid.
Sallah attributed part of the delay to discrepancies in screening processes. “The screening machine at the GGC depot in Kerewan is completely different from the one used at SECCOs, which has led to inconsistencies and disputes over weight and quality,” he explained.
He expressed a strong preference for cash payments at buying points, arguing that it saves farmers time, reduces transport burdens, and avoids complications arising from digital platforms like QMoney, which have received mixed reactions from farmers.
While Sallah acknowledged that Gambia Groundnut Corporation (GGC) now called National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC) management is aware of the payment delays and working to resolve the issue, the situation has left many farmers in financial limbo.
Sana Dampha, President of the Noo Kunda SECCO, added that their SECCO owes farmers 11 tons of groundnut valued at D418,000.00. He also raised concerns over the alleged unauthorized discharge of a truckload of groundnuts from the Central River Region (CRR) without proper screening or approval from SECCO management.
Meanwhile, farmers have called on GGC to prioritize payments to local farmers within feeder communities before others. The dissatisfaction is widespread, as evidenced by a breakdown of outstanding payments owed to various communities in the North Bank Region – iIlliasa D498.058, Minteh Kunda D169,739, Njaba Kunda D197,505, Salikene D143,000, Bafuloto Upper Nuimi D138,000, Bakalarr D323,000, Dasilami Jokadou D669,000, Fass Njaga Choi D1,219, 000, Dibba Kunda D81,000, Sabach Sanjal, Farafenni D234,000, Fass Omar Chaho D1,291,286, Kerewan D666,000.00. Also, Kerr Jarga D148,000, Kuntair D137,000, Mbamori Kunda D86,000, Banta kiling D134,000, Mbollet Ba D26,000, Ndungu Charreh D2,851,000 highest in NBR, Ngain Sanjal D280,000, Njawara D41,000, Sara Kunda D184,000, Ndungu Kebbeh D925,000, Touba Angalleh D65,000.
Despite the challenges, a few SECCOs were commended by GGC management for their outstanding compliance and performance, including Kerr Alagie Karu Jokadou, Medina Serign Mass, Saaba, and Ndofan.
Farmers continue to urge authorities to expedite payments and review the current payment systems to ensure timely and fair compensation in future trade seasons.
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