‘The Backbone of Agricultural Planning’ — Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally Calls for Accurate Data Ahead of 2026 National Census

By Dawda Baldeh

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, Dr. Demba Sabally, has urged field enumerators to maintain strict integrity and professionalism during the upcoming 2026 National Agriculture Census, describing reliable data as essential to tackling persistent food insecurity and climate shocks.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-week intensive training program for enumerators, Sabally stressed that the nationwide exercise would dictate the trajectory of future policy decisions across farming, livestock, fisheries, and resource distribution.

“The National Agriculture Census is not a statistical act. It is the backbone of our agricultural planning and policy-making,” Minister Sabally said.

Highlighting a critical disconnect in the nation’s food security landscape, the minister pointed out that despite The Gambia producing 124,372 metric tonnes of cereals in 2024—marking a 90 percent increase above the five-year average—widespread food vulnerability remains a pressing concern.

“The paradox highlights the importance of accurate data. Without reliable statistics, we cannot design effective policies to address food insecurity, reduce import dependence or strengthen resilience against climate shocks,” he said.

Reminding field officers of their ethical obligations, Minister Sabally urged enumerators to gather completely unbiased records from farming households.

“Every household you visit, every farmer you interview and every record you capture contributes to a national vision of food security and resilience,” he stated. “Your role is not only technical but also ethical. You must approach farmers with diligence, respect and impartiality.”

To support the logistical rollout of the census, Project Coordinator for the HISWAKA Project, Muhammed Janneh, confirmed significant capital investments in the Department of Planning, including 85 motorcycles, two operational vehicles, and refurbished facilities.

“The HISWAKA Project remains fully committed to supporting efforts that strengthen statistical capacity and improve the production and use of quality data in The Gambia,” Mr. Janneh said, calling on field staff to maintain rigorous discipline throughout the data-gathering phase.

Trainee representative Juldeh Mballow expressed gratitude to the government and international partners, assuring stakeholders that participants would execute their duties effectively in the field.
“The knowledge and skills gained during this training will greatly strengthen our capacity to execute our duties effectively,” Mballow said.

The census—executed jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Planning, the Gambia Bureau of Statistics, and development partners—will generate comprehensive baseline metrics on crop yields, livestock holdings, fisheries, and household livelihoods across the country.