Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The Gambia Government has moved swiftly to address concerns raised by farmers over the new digital payment system introduced during the 2024 Groundnut Trade Season. In response to complaints regarding the QMoney digital platform’s rollout, President Adama Barrow instructed the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance to meet with farmers’ representatives and stakeholders to resolve the issues.

The meeting, which took place on December 30, 2024, in Banjul, saw discussions centered around improving the accessibility of digital payment services at the country’s 95 Seccos (Seed Collection Centers) spread across 39 districts. The move comes after farmers, especially from rural areas, expressed frustration over the new system’s implementation, citing inadequate awareness campaigns, limited payment agents, and insufficient availability of cash at trading centers.

Agriculture Minister Pledges Support for Farmers

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Demba Sabally, the Minister of Agriculture, assured farmers that the government would work closely with QGroup, the company responsible for the QMoney platform, to increase the number of payment agents and enhance services at the Seccos. Minister Sabally emphasized that farmers are a priority for the government, as they play a vital role in the nation’s agricultural sector.

“The government recognizes the importance of farmers to the national economy, and we are committed to ensuring that you have the resources and services you need to thrive,” Sabally stated.

Farmers Demand More Sensitization and Support

Alagie Ceesay, Vice President of The Gambia Farmers’ Union (GFU), expressed concerns about the insufficient sensitization efforts surrounding the new payment platform. Ceesay explained that many farmers, particularly those in remote regions, were unfamiliar with the QMoney system, leading to confusion and delays. He also raised the issue of cash shortages at the Seccos, which has led to payment delays.

Musa Sowe from the National Coordinating Organization of Farmers in The Gambia (NACOFAG) and Abdoulie S. Khan of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Societies (FACS) echoed these concerns but encouraged farmers to cooperate with the government in seeking solutions.

QGroup Assures Improved Services and Sensitization Efforts

Muhammed Jah, Chairman and CEO of QGroup, which is partnering with the National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Corporation in the groundnut trade, thanked the government for acting swiftly to address the situation. Jah pledged to intensify the sensitization campaign to ensure all farmers are adequately informed about the digital payment process.

“We have deployed 500 people across the country to train stakeholders, and we have purchased 8 vehicles to ensure the timely delivery of cash and the proper functioning of the payment system,” Jah explained. He further committed to deploying additional agents and coordinating cash payments at the Seccos to ensure smooth transactions for farmers.

Digital Payments a Step Toward Transparency

The introduction of the QMoney digital payment system is part of The Gambia Government’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at reducing financial leakages in the agricultural sector. Last year, the government lost over D100 million in the groundnut trade due to missing cash. By digitizing payments, the government hopes to mitigate such losses and provide a more transparent, efficient payment system for farmers.

The groundnut trade season, which began on December 2, 2024, is scheduled to end on March 2, 2025. The price of groundnuts has been set at Thirty-Eight Thousand Dalasis (D38,000.00) per tonne, a competitive rate that is higher than those in neighboring countries.

New Task Force Established for Oversight

To ensure that the new payment system is effective and sustainable, the government has established a Task Force, led by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture. The Task Force will monitor the progress of the QMoney platform and address any further concerns from farmers during the trade season.

Ebrima G. Sankareh, the Gambia Government Spokesperson, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the agricultural sector and supporting farmers in the country.