West African Collaboration Aims to Transform Rice Production
The Gambia is taking decisive action to improve domestic food production by forming a strategic agricultural alliance with Kebbi State, Nigeria. This partnership focuses on adopting Kebbi’s proven rice production strategies to bolster The Gambia’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and long-term food security.
Responding to Urgent Food Security Challenges
Across West Africa, food insecurity remains a critical issue. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 70 million people in the region are affected by hunger and malnutrition. The Gambia, despite being a key rice producer, continues to depend heavily on rice imports to meet domestic demand—leaving the nation vulnerable to global supply shocks and climate disruptions.
The new collaboration is designed to bridge this gap by leveraging successful agricultural models from Nigeria, particularly from Kebbi State, which has become a benchmark in regional rice farming.
Kebbi State: A Model for Agricultural Success
Kebbi State is widely regarded as Nigeria’s rice production powerhouse. Through a combination of innovative techniques, investment in mechanized farming, and policy support for local farmers, the state has substantially increased its rice yield and reduced its import dependency.
The Gambia now seeks to replicate these outcomes by tapping into Kebbi’s technical expertise, strategic frameworks, and grassroots agricultural initiatives.
Mutual Gains from Regional Agricultural Cooperation
Shared Knowledge and Innovation
Both parties stand to benefit significantly from the partnership. The Gambia will gain access to Kebbi’s modern farming methods, while Kebbi can explore new opportunities in cross-border agricultural trade and technology exchange. This bilateral collaboration could serve as a model for similar agricultural partnerships across the continent.
Boosting Regional Economic Integration
The alliance also aligns with broader economic and developmental goals championed by the African Union (AU), particularly the vision of achieving agricultural self-sufficiency and food security by 2025. The AU emphasizes regional cooperation as a critical lever for agricultural transformation, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.
Empowering Smallholder Farmers and Driving Rural Development
Smallholder farmers are expected to be among the primary beneficiaries of this initiative. Through enhanced access to technology, capacity-building programs, and market networks, these farmers will be better positioned to improve their productivity and livelihoods.
By elevating the role of rural farmers and fostering inclusive agricultural growth, the Gambia-Kebbi collaboration has the potential to reshape food systems and strengthen community resilience across borders.