In a major effort to strengthen national food security and shield farmers from rising agricultural input costs, the Government of The Gambia has announced a D1.6 billion fertilizer subsidy for the 2026 farming season, maintaining the retail price of fertilizer at D1,100 per bag despite mounting global supply chain challenges.
Speaking at a press conference in Banjul, the Minister of Agriculture, Demba Sabally, said the government has taken the unprecedented step of absorbing the substantial subsidy burden to ensure farmers have access to affordable fertilizer ahead of the rainy season.
According to the minister, global geopolitical tensions and disruptions in international supply chains have significantly increased fertilizer costs worldwide. However, the government remains committed to supporting local food production by preventing these increases from being passed on to Gambian farmers.
“The government is fully committed to supporting our farmers and safeguarding national food security,” Sabally said. “This subsidy is a strategic investment in agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.”
The minister also issued a strong warning against the smuggling of subsidised fertilizer across The Gambia’s borders, describing the practice as a threat to the success of the government’s intervention programme.
“The government will not tolerate the smuggling of subsidised fertilizer into neighbouring countries,” he stressed, urging security agencies, local authorities and communities to remain vigilant and cooperate in preventing illegal trade.
To promote equitable access and curb hoarding, the Ministry of Agriculture has introduced a purchasing limit of 25 bags per individual buyer. Officials say the measure is designed to ensure that fertilizer reaches genuine farmers across the country.
In an additional boost to the agricultural sector, Sabally announced that the government has procured 10,000 metric tonnes of organic fertilizer, which will be distributed free of charge to farmers nationwide.
As part of the immediate rollout, 46,000 bags of organic fertilizer have already been earmarked for distribution to support crop production during the upcoming season.
The agriculture minister urged farmers to obtain their inputs only through approved distribution channels, including cooperative depots and licensed private dealers, to guarantee product quality and fair pricing.
“We encourage all farmers to purchase fertilizer from authorised outlets to avoid counterfeit products and ensure they benefit from the government’s subsidy programme,” he said.
Sabally noted that the interventons form part of the government’s broader agricultural transformation agenda aimed at increasing domestic crop production, reducing dependence on food imports, insulating the country from global food shocks, and improving the livelihoods of farming communities.
