President Adama Barrow on Saturday handed over 60 tractors to Gambian farmers as part of a joint financing scheme involving the Government of The Gambia, farming communities, and Yonna Agribusiness, a subsidiary of the Yonna Group.
The farm equipment include 60 tractors, with a capacity of 75 horsepower, 18 disc harrows, 10 tipping trailers, various rotary tillers, seed drills and planters.
The initiative, launched at the State House in Banjul, marked the first phase of a larger package of 180 tractors and implements being procured by the Ministry of Agriculture to modernize farming and promote national food self-sufficiency.
Under the financing model, the government contributes 25 per cent of the total cost, while individual farmers or farming groups provide another 25 per cent. The remaining 50 per cent is financed by Yonna Microfinance, to be repaid over four years, with the government acts as guarantor.
President Barrow described the initiative as a demonstration of his government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a modern, mechanised, and business-oriented sector. He noted that improving agricultural productivity is critical for feeding the country’s growing population, creating jobs for young people, and reducing reliance on imported food.
“These tractors are not gifts,” the President explained. “They are instruments of growth, procured within the framework of shared responsibility for service and maximum productivity.” He warned that any breach of contractual agreements could result in the withdrawal of equipment or in taking other corrective measures.
He further urged the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security to ensure transparency and efficiency in managing the program. “Continue to monitor, evaluate and support the beneficiaries so that they utilize the machinery and equipment at their disposal to meaningfully transform their lives,” he advised.
Muhammad Manjang, Board Chairman of the Yonna Group, reiterated the company’s commitment to national development, pledging that Yonna Agribusiness would provide training and timely maintenance services to guarantee sustainability. “This initiative exemplifies genuine public-private partnership. Yonna Group is not merely a supplier; we are co-investors in the Gambia’s agricultural transformation,” he said.
According to him, under the leadership of President Barrow, the Government has played a crucial role in enhancing the agricultural sector by allocating matching grants and subsidising fertilizers, seeds and farm implements for farmers across the country.
Mr Manjang indicated that through government interventions, the future of the agriculture “looks promising”, ensuring “prosperity for farmers and food security” in The Gambia.
