Youth Key to Agrifood Transformation – Hon. Jammeh By Isatou Jawara
Young people must be placed at the centre of The Gambia’s agrifood systems transformation if the country is to achieve food security, create decent jobs, build climate resilience and accelerate economic growth, Chairman of the National Assembly Select Committee on Regional Government, Lands and Ombudsman, Hon. Sulayman Jammeh, has said.
Hon. Jammeh made the call during the Youth Parliament Retreat organised by the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPAN) in collaboration with Soil Solutions. The retreat brought together youth groups, young entrepreneurs and key stakeholders to explore practical strategies for strengthening youth participation in transforming the country’s agricultural sector.
Addressing participants, Hon. Jammeh described Gambian youth, particularly those engaged in agriculture, as one of the country’s greatest assets and a shared national responsibility. He stressed that young people should no longer be seen merely as beneficiaries of development programmes, but as innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and leaders capable of driving transformation across the agrifood value chain.
He noted that achieving the objectives of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) requires bold political leadership, evidence-based policymaking and sustained investment in agriculture.
“As Members of Parliament, we have a critical role to play in creating an enabling policy and legislative environment, ensuring adequate budget allocations, strengthening accountability and championing policies that empower young women and men to participate meaningfully across agricultural value chains,” he said.
Hon. Jammeh urged young people to embrace innovation, climate-smart agriculture, digital technologies and improved access to finance as essential tools for modernising agriculture and unlocking new economic opportunities.
He added that the retreat provided an important platform for participants to exchange ideas, learn from one another and identify practical measures to strengthen parliamentary engagement in advancing youth-led agrifood systems in The Gambia.
Calling for greater collaboration, Hon. Jammeh urged all stakeholders to work together in building resilient, inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems that create opportunities for young people while advancing the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also speaking at the retreat, Executive Director of the National Youth Council, Alagie Jarjue, acknowledged that limited access to finance and weak market linkages remain major constraints facing young farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs. He disclosed that the Government of The Gambia is currently supporting more than 200 young farmers through matching grants designed to expand youth participation in agriculture.
Mr. Jarjue, however, cautioned young entrepreneurs against depending on commercial bank loans with interest rates as high as 25 per cent, warning that such borrowing costs could undermine the sustainability and growth of youth-owned enterprises.
Also speaking, Hon. Bameju Agho of the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPAN) highlighted the significance of the Kampala Declaration, noting that it seeks to strengthen youth participation in Africa’s agrifood systems through increased investment, innovation and supportive policy frameworks.
The retreat concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening youth leadership, parliamentary support and strategic partnerships as key pillars for building a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector capable of driving inclusive economic growth and food security in The Gambia.
