Updates

Gambian agribusinesses receive GMD 26 million worth of equipment

11 October 2018
ITC News

Fourteen Gambian enterprises receive agro-processing equipment to enhance their productivity and value addition, through the ITC Youth Empowerment Project.

The International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Gambia Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) has delivered agro-processing equipment valued at over GMD 26 million (approximately €460,000) to 14 enterprises to enhance their productivity and value addition, particularly at farm gate.

The equipment includes groundnut paste making machines, ground powder making machines, groundnut roasting machines, candy rolling machines (candy made from groundnut and cashew), flour milling machines, rice graders and de-stoners, dehulling machines for cereals including findi, vacuum packaging machines and materials and 62 KVA back-up diesel generators.

YEP addresses the economic root causes of irregular migration by supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship. The project is funded by the European Union (EU) Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.

‘The support is part of the project’s strategy to foster private sector-led growth and job creation through value addition,’ said YEP Project Manager Raimund Moser. ‘Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the main project beneficiaries as they are at the forefront of creating jobs,” he added.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Hadrammeh Sidibeh said: ‘The agricultural sector, and agro-processing in particular, offers many interesting and rewarding job opportunities for young Gambians.’

Mr. Luca Palazzotto, a project manager and representative from the European Union, highlighted the importance of rural development to provide effective alternatives to irregular migration. ‘The intervention provides concrete revenue-generating activities for young Gambians by engaging in product transformation and value addition at farm gate,’ he said.

Once the equipment is installed and fully operational, the investment is projected to create over 900 jobs in total, 644 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs for young Gambians.

The 14 beneficiaries include three groups and associations and 11 MSMEs spread across the Greater Banjul Area, the West Coast Region, the North Bank Region and the Central River Region. They have all committed to support job creation within the regions where the machines will be located.

Notes for the Editor

The main list of equipment delivered include: