By Fatima B Camara

The Gambia Component of West Africa Competitiveness Programme commences a 6-day field mission from the 27th of March 2022.

The mission is said to make a rapid market analysis (RAM) on tomato, chili pepper and sweet potatoes to identify areas for improvement and suggest potential intervention areas to address the quality related gaps and constraints along the value chains.

This mission is also aimed to discussing with marketing federations and regional stakeholders on the selection of sides for the construction of curing and storage facilities.

Musa Saihou Mbenga , the team leader for United Nations Industrial Department Organization (UNIDO) also a value chain specialist said, the value chain assessments on the allied crops will determine areas for quality improvement, under performance, volume of production and the feasibility to arouse change on the market system.

“we are doing the (RMA) through a set of criteria meant to capture the constraints and root causes of underperformance, particularly post-harvest side quality related non- compliance, opportunities for growth and domestic and export market promotion and feasibility to stimulate change in the market system”, he said.

Mr Mbenga added that,the (RAM) will serve as the bases for a bespoke technical assistance program for SMEs and extension officers towards the achievement of international certification and assured market linkages.

The President of Marketing Federation(solicita) in North Bank Region Fatoumata Jange thank both UNIDO and financier of WACOMP- – European Union for their plans to improve the onion value chain and their support to rural women, while adding that, the intervention of WACOMP- is timely and it will greatly help to reduce post harvest losses and promote production.

The Gambia Component of West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) project is funded by the European Union (EU) aming to enhance quality compliance along the onion value chain by improving the performance,growth and contribution to industry,regional trade and exports of onion and other horiculture value chain.

WACOMP in the Gambia is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Department Organization (UNIDO)and United Purpose (UP) in partnership with the Government of the Gambia.