By: Nyima Sillah
Mr. Hagie Suwaneh, National Youth President of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has condemned an alleged levy of 500,000CFA approximately (D63,000) imposed by Senegalese border authorities on Gambian tractors crossing into Senegal.
According to him, such high levies threaten farmers’ livelihoods and food security among border communities.
Speaking to this medium, Suwaneh said he learned of the issue in early May 2025 and conducted his own investigation by engaging local leaders, farmers, and tractor owners in the Upper River Region (URR). He added that he even crossed the border to verify the reports first-hand.
“I spoke with several community leaders and tractor owners who all confirmed that the tariff is being enforced. Gambisara village alone has more than 80 tractors, and nearly every household in Gambisara, Sabi, or Sare Pirasu depends on farmland located across the Senegalese side of the border.” he explained.
Suwaneh revealed that Senegalese border officials gave no clear reason for the fee, only stating that the 500,000 CFA (over D63,000) must be paid before tractors can cross. “After my investigation, I did not directly engage the government officials, but some local village heads (alkalolu) in URR reportedly raised the issue with the regional governor.”
He added: “The Gambian government is failing farmers by remaining stuck in partisan politics and political rhetoric that don’t provide solutions. Agriculture, the backbone of our economy, is suffering from policy neglect and weak leadership. The Minister of Agriculture seems unaware of farmers’ real challenges,” Mr. Suwaneh remarked.
He called for stronger agricultural diplomacy, saying, “a serious government would engage Senegalese counterparts through negotiation and cooperation to resolve cross-border issues like this.”
He argued that the over D63,000 tariff is raising plugging costs per hectare, hitting smallholder farmers hardest, especially in URR, where farmland is limited. “These sudden fees cause policy instability, making cross-border farming risky and unpredictable. It’s not just an economic problem, and it threatens regional stability, food security, and the livelihoods of low-income households,” Suwaneh stressed.
With the rainy season approaching, Mr. Suwareh warned that consequences could worsen without government intervention.