By: Binta Jaiteh
The National Coordinating Organization for Farmers’ Associations of The Gambia (NACOFAG) has condemned the distribution of what it described as untested and unapproved fertilizers by some political leaders, warning of potential risks to the country’s soils, crops and food security.
Speaking on behalf of the association, its National President, Musa Sowe, said fertilizers that had not undergone scientific assessment could pose serious risks to agricultural production.
Sowe warned that the use of such products could affect soil pH, damage beneficial microorganisms and contribute to the long-term degradation of farmland.
He said farmers could also face crop failures, financial losses and difficulties marketing their produce if agricultural products were rejected in local or international markets because of concerns over their quality.
NACOFAG said it supported calls by the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), the Department of Agriculture and academics for an immediate halt to the distribution of unauthorised fertilizers.
The association maintained that only agricultural inputs that had received the required official certification should be used on farms in The Gambia.
Sowe compared the regulation of agricultural inputs to the regulation of pharmaceutical products, referring to the 2022 contaminated cough syrup incident in The Gambia that resulted in the deaths of dozens of children.
He argued that bypassing laboratory testing for agricultural inputs could expose communities to risks if harmful substances were present in the products.
According to Sowe, certain contaminants in agricultural inputs could potentially enter groundwater or food chains, creating environmental and public health concerns.
NACOFAG also cited potential risks associated with heavy metals, nitrate contamination of drinking water and harmful algal blooms, which it said could affect human and livestock health.
The association called on the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen quality-control measures, including laboratory testing and field trials, before agricultural inputs are approved for use.
NACOFAG also urged farmers not to use uncertified fertilizers and to report suspected unauthorised vendors to local agricultural extension offices.
The association further called on regulatory authorities to enforce existing regulations and impose appropriate penalties on individuals or businesses involved in the sale of unapproved agricultural inputs.
NACOFAG said protecting the country’s agricultural resources and food systems was essential to strengthening national food security.