President Barrow praises the World Bank’s support to transformational agricultural growth in The Gambia

His Excellency, President Adama Barrow has commended the World Bank for supporting his government’s initiative to transform the Gambia’s agriculture from subsistence to a competitive and market-driven sector. President Barrow made the commendation on Wednesday night at Wassu, CRR North during a site visit to see for himself the ongoing construction works at a modern market hub dubbed Agro Logistics centre (ALC). 

The Gambia Government-World Bank funded GIRAV project is financing the construction of two ALCs – one in Wassu and another at Macca Farafenni in NBR. These ALCs are designed to address the perennial problem of inadequate marketing infrastructure for commercial agriculture in The Gambia.  Lumiere Prestations Group is constructing the USD1.8Million ALC in Wassu, Central River Region North whilst Probatim Sarl is the contractor for the USD1.9million ALC at Macca Farafenni.

President Barrow described the ALCs sub-projects as “a huge investment” that will help fix the gaps in the agricultural value chains and help can change lives and livelihoods. He said: “I am very happy with the progress made. We must seize this opportunity to thank our partner – the World Bank for funding this initiative and for choosing the Gambia as a pilot. That is a very special initiate. We are not taking it for granted. I will encourage our team who would be managing this facility to take good care of it. This is a huge investment, and it. 
“On behalf of the Gambia Government, we thank the World Bank for this support. We will do everything possible to make sure that this facility is well managed and put in to good use to benefit the target beneficiaries”, he noted.
President Barrow also thanked the contractor for measuring up to expectations. He also congratulated the ministry for agriculture for what he described as a huge achievement. 

Mr. Bamar Sillah, Managing Director, Lumiere Prestations Group gave an overview of the ALC. He aexpressed gratitude to president Barrow and the Gambia government for the trust repose in them to execute the project. He assured the president that the facility will be delivered before end of march 2026.

Mr. Abdoulie Touray, Coordinator of the GIRAV Project and the CPCU in his introductory remarks told president Barrow that the ALCs will help reduce post-harvest losses and create sustainable livelihoods as envisaged in the National Development Plan.

President Barrrow was received onsite by the Agriculture Minister Dr. Demba Sabally and staff of the CPCU and the GIRAV project, Local authorities and farmers.

The ALCs are being constructed on an area of between 1 to 1.5 hectares and will have the following amenities: A weighbridge, two 500 sqm sheds with a quay each (potentially cold cell room included in one of these of 250 sqm partially solar energy powered for a total capacity of 200 tons), mini-industrial zone (sorting, grading lines, first packaging of products or processing of those that cannot be sent to the markets to reduce losses), offices for rent (banking structure) accommodation area, restroom facilities, administrative building, car park, and handling and parking area for trucks. Each ALCs will provide the following services: Dry/cold storage, Cross Docking and Grouping, Rest area for transporters, Primary processing services (Sorting, Grading, Packing).