Another statement from the Office of the President, this time calling "for an immediate stop by certain non-authorised operators (un-registered by ASPA) purchasing groundnuts from farmers during the current trade season saying it is violating the rules of the trade and government’s liberalisation of the official groundnut market." The statement went on to notify "all operators that it is a policy of the government that groundnuts should not be exported without value addition."   The statement went on to say "Security forces are advised to ensure that not a single nut produced in The Gambia is sold and exported illegally."

It begs the question, what "value addition" is and for whom?  Once all "non-authorised operators" are stopped,  farmers will be left with no choice but to surrender their hard earn groundnuts to the "legitimate" dealer. Talk of "liberalisation of the official groundnut market" while denying competition. Not surprising that some like to believe that you can save your cake by eating it. 

And to disguise this official  "addu calpeh" in the form of reminding farmers,  "of the huge inputs by government in the form of seeds and fertilizer."  Are Gambia farmers share-croppers or  "shrugga"? They can not chose what they do with their farm produce? At least the communists were brave to say that nobody own anything and communal farms with state control distribution and marketing centers were the way to go.  To say "farmers found violating this ban will also be dealt with accordingly";  thats some cojones, excuse my Spanish!

No wonder people are leaving the farm in droves.

Malanding Jaiteh
 
courtesy: http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/non-authorised-operators-in-the-gnut-trade-season-warned

non-authorised operators in the G/NUT trade season WARNED

Africa » Gambia
Friday, January 04, 2013

The Office of the President has called for an immediate stop by certain non-authorised operators (un-registered by ASPA) purchasing groundnuts from farmers during the current trade season saying it is violating the rules of the trade and government’s liberalisation of the official groundnut market.

A press release from State House says that this practice must stop with immediate effect and any company or individual found guilty of violating these policies will pay a heavy price.

The release reads:

It has come to the notice of the office of the President that certain non-authorised operators (un-registered by ASPA) have been purchasing groundnuts from farmers during the current trade season thereby violating the rules of the trade and government’s liberalisation of the official groundnut market.This practice must stop with immediate effect.

Concurrently, it is being brought to the notice of all operators that it is a policy of the government that groundnuts should not be exported without value addition.Any company or individual found guilty of violating these policies will pay a heavy price.Security forces are advised to ensure that not a single nut produced in The Gambia is sold and exported illegally.

Gambian farmers are hereby reminded of the huge inputs by government in the form of seeds and fertilizer.Farmers found violating this ban will also be dealt with accordingly. Farmers are also being advised to be careful about operators that purchase their produce on credit.In the event of a problem between such farmers and credit-buyers, government will not intervene to help the farmer recover his/her cash or produce.

Author: Daily Observer

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