By Fatou Sillah
The Minister of Agriculture, Demba Sabally, has informed National Assembly members that all outstanding payments to farmers for the 2023/2024 groundnut trade season have been fully settled.
Speaking before the National Assembly’s Select Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister Sabally presented the Ministry of Agriculture’s and the National Food Security, Processing, and Marketing Corporation’s (NFSPMC) response to the committee’s recommendations, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the agricultural sector.
“The NFSPMC recognizes the importance of timely payments. All outstanding payments due to the farmers for the 2023/2024 trade season were duly settled. However, most of the Seccos still owe the corporation a significant amount of money due to shortages incurred,” he said.
Addressing the issue of electronic payments, the minister noted that the NFSPMC has begun enhancing its payment systems in collaboration with financial service providers to ensure farmers nationwide receive timely payments.
“For instance, the corporation engaged the financial service operators to have more contracts with cash-out agents to ensure access to cash and timely payment to farmers in all catchment areas. This will ensure efficiency, reliability, and accessibility across all regions to facilitate seamless onsite payments,” he explained.
Minister Sabally also announced plans to provide modern screening machines to all Seccos before the next trade season, with repayment schedules over time. Strict enforcement will ensure only screened groundnuts are accepted at depots. Additionally, Secco presidents will receive training on mobile platforms, financial reporting, and the use of new machinery to enhance accountability.
On infrastructure improvements, he reported that depots in Basse South, Buniadu, and Tendaba have been rehabilitated, with new digital weighbridges installed. The NFSPMC has also addressed outstanding maintenance on tugboats and barges, though additional financial support is needed to rehabilitate aging warehouses and acquire new vessels.
“The recapitalization is still not forthcoming, even after the Cabinet’s approval. The NFSPMC emphasizes the importance of recapitalization in enhancing the corporation’s operational capacity and sustainability,” Minister Sabally emphasized.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to food security, he stated that the NFSPMC will continue promoting the use of organic fertilizer as part of the country’s shift toward sustainable agriculture.