The Government of The Gambia has announced that the price of subsidized fertilizer will remain at D1,100 per bag for the 2026 farming season despite rising global costs triggered by ongoing tensions and supply chain disruptions in the Gulf region.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press conference by the Minister of Agriculture, Demba Sabally, who described the move as a major intervention aimed at protecting farmers and ensuring food security across the country.
According to the minister, the government has committed a subsidy of D1.601 billion to keep fertilizer prices unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to supporting agricultural production and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
“This intervention has been made possible through a substantial Government subsidy amounting to D1.601 billion, underscoring the Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting agricultural production, enhancing food security, and safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers across the country,” Minister Sabally said
He disclosed that 17,085 metric tons of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer and 4,000 metric tons of NPK 6:20:10 fertilizer have already arrived in the country, while the remaining allocation of Urea 46 percent fertilizer is expected shortly to ensure timely distribution for the 2026 cropping season.
In what officials described as a historic intervention, the government has also secured 10,000 metric tons of organic fertilizer that will be distributed free of charge to farmers nationwide. The initiative is intended to promote sustainable farming practices, improve soil fertility and reduce production costs for farmers.
“The government remains committed to strengthening the agricultural sector and ensuring that farmers have access to the inputs they need despite prevailing global economic challenges,” he added.
The ministry announced that subsidized fertilizers will be sold through Seccos and authorized private agents across the country. Farmers were urged to purchase fertilizer only from approved outlets to guarantee access to genuine products at the official price.
Authorities also introduced new regulations governing fertilizer distribution. Farmers and traders have been instructed to adhere strictly to the approved price of D1,100 per bag, while no individual will be permitted to purchase more than 25 bags without declaring the excess quantity to the Ministry of Agriculture.
In addition, the government imposed a ban on the export of fertilizer, calling on security agencies, including the police, immigration authorities, the Gambia Revenue Authority, governors, chiefs, alkalolu and the farmers’ union to prevent any fertilizer from crossing the country’s borders.
Beyond fertilizer support, the government announced a comprehensive package of agricultural assistance funded through government resources and donor support.The package includes the distribution of 461 tons of high-yield rice seed, 260 tons of maize seed, 56 tons of groundnut seed, four tons of cowpea seed and five tons of findi seed.
Officials further revealed that 2,325 tons of fertilizer, equivalent to 46,500 bags, will be distributed free of charge to farmers through various agricultural projects. Additional support in the form of ploughing services and herbicides will cover more than 20,000 hectares of farmland across 1,500 communities in the country’s seven agricultural regions.The programme, valued at approximately $3.3 million, or about D240 million, is expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity during the 2026 farming season.
The minister thanked President Adama Barrow, development partners and all stakeholders involved in supporting the agricultural sector, noting that the interventions form part of the government’s broader strategy to achieve food self-sufficiency and transform agriculture into a key driver of economic growth.He called on farmers across the country to make full use of the support measures and contribute to national efforts aimed at enhancing food security and increasing agricultural output.