The Gambia Standards Bureau in collaboration with the Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development project (GIRAV) has signed a memorandum of understanding to develop National Standards for Rice, Maize and Groundnut, and their related value chains.
In order to ensure implementation of Good Agricultural Practices for Rice, Maize and Groundnut, the Bureau yesterday, the 2nd of July 2025, convened a sensitization seminar for Farmers, Master Farmers and Extension workers in West Coast Region.
During the opening ceremony, The Director of West Coast Regional Agricultural Directorate Mr. Gassama, welcomed participants and emphasized the need for them to take the sensitization seminar seriously as the information to be shared will impact positively on their farming operations. He also thanked the bureau and its partners for organizing such a timely activity, especially when the rainy season has just started. He concluded by thanking the GIRAV Project for providing the resources for the implementation of this program, the Bureau for choosing West Coast Region and the participants for gracing the occasion, before declaring the information sharing seminar officially opened.
Mr. Ebrima Musa Jallow, The Director of Standardization Division of The Gambia Standards Bureau presented on the role and mandate of The Gambia Standards Bureau and the reasons for organizing such an interactive information sharing seminar.
Mr. Saikou Drammeh, The Standards Officer for Agriculture at The Gambia Standards Bureau, puts participants through the requirements of Good Agricultural practices for Rice, Maize and Groundnut. This includes, site selection, land preparation, quality seed selections, sowing, weeding, fertilizer application, pest and disease management, good post-harvest practices as well as the need for farmers to observe good personal and environmental hygiene when handling, drying and threshing, sorting, packaging and storing Rice, Maize and Groundnut. These practices, if implemented by farmers, will result in an increase productivity, as well as meeting the national and international standards requirements.
The event was ably moderated by Mr. Drammeh.
