Ebrima Mbaye

Story: i reported on the plight of Gambian smallholder farmers in Jahally–Pacharr, who depend entirely on seasonal rice production for their livelihoods. This story is set against the broader context of The Gambia’s ambitious rice self-sufficiency initiative, a flagship agricultural project intended to reduce food imports and strengthen rural economies. Despite government pledges, I found that farmers continue to struggle under exploitative harvester fees, limited access to fertilizers, and unfulfilled promises, turning what should have been a pathway to prosperity into a cycle of debt and despair.

Published in: October 13, 2025