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The Gambia has a high percentage of rural poverty, with agriculture being primarily subsistence-based. Since 1994, the country has been defining and implementing poverty alleviation and reduction strategies aimed at operationalizing the country’s Vision 2020 program. In each of these policy processes, the agriculture and natural resources sector has featured prominently.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture’s authority, the National Seed Council (NSC) was established to advise the government on all matters relating to seed policy, all ensuing legislations and protocols, and seed industry planning and implementation. The NSC follows the Seed Quality Control and Marketing Act of 2014 and National Seed Policy of 2014.
Members of the NSC are multi-stakeholders and include the Ministry of Agriculture (DOA) and the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), seed sector representatives, farmer associations, seed growers, universities, non-governmental organizations and development partners. The Variety Release Committee is the technical arm of the NSC and is responsible for the procedures for variety release.
NARI is responsible for producing breeder seeds and foundation seeds in The Gambia. Certified seed cooperative producers have been set up in four districts to disseminate seeds to farmers.
Eight index companies operate in The Gambia, though only in sales. None in the index carries out seed production, testing, breeding, processing or extension services.
| Company | Crops in portfolio | Company activities in country | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Companies selected for the Access to Seeds Index |
Field crops |
Vegetables | Breeding location |
Testing location |
Seed production |
Processing location |
Sales | Extension services |
||||||
| Bejo | ||||||||||||||
| East-West Seed | ||||||||||||||
| Faso Kaba | ||||||||||||||
| Limagrain | ||||||||||||||
| NAFASO | ||||||||||||||
| Pop Vriend Seeds | ||||||||||||||
| Rijk Zwaan | ||||||||||||||
Other index companies are also active in the country. However, country-specific information for these companies is not available or was provided under a non-disclosure agreement.
Other companies identified in the regional landscaping study and their activities.
| Company | Crops in portfolio | Company activities in country | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field crops |
Vegetable crops |
Breeding location |
Seed production |
Sales | ||||
| Afric Agro Action | ||||||||
| Exchange Crossroad for Economic Integration of Associated Cooperatives (ECEIAC) | ||||||||
| Gambia Horticultural Enterprises (GHE) | ||||||||
| Niani Banni Seed Cooperative | ||||||||
| RAYAN Farm & Poultry | ||||||||
Leading seed producing cooperatives highlighted in cooperative study
| Company | Crops in portfolio | Company activities in country | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field crops |
Vegetable crops |
Testing location |
Seed production |
Sales | ||||
| Banni CSGCS | ||||||||
| CSGCS of Pakao-Jogou | ||||||||
| CSGCS of Taibatou Wulli Niakoy | ||||||||
