Farmers in The Gambia say they are facing mounting financial strain after the government maintained the official groundnut price for the third consecutive year. The price remains fixed at roughly 518 dollars per tonne, a rate farmers argue no longer reflects the rising cost of production.

Many producers say stagnant prices, coupled with increased fuel and input expenses, are eroding their already narrow profit margins. For rural farming communities that rely heavily on groundnuts as their primary income source, the impact is becoming more severe each season.

Farmer associations are now urging authorities to review the pricing structure and consider an upward adjustment that aligns with market realities. They warn that without intervention, productivity may decline as farmers struggle to sustain operations.

WADR’s Sang Donal Mendy reports from Banjul as the debate over pricing and sustainability intensifies ahead of the peak harvest period.