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 <http://observer.gm/africa/news> » Gambia
<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/news>
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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