Dozens of farmers in Jokadou District, North Bank Region, remain unpaid for groundnuts delivered to the Kerr Alagie Karu Secco during the 2025/2026 groundnut trading season. This situation has left many farmers without income for their harvest, prompting significant concerns about agricultural livelihoods and economic stability in the area. The failure to receive payment for their produce, which was delivered to the Kerr Alagie Karu Secco, has created considerable financial distress for these farming communities.
Meanwhile, the National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC) has consistently asserted that no farmer is owed money. Despite the farmers' claims of non-payment, the corporation maintains its position that all groundnut deliveries from the season have been settled. The stark discrepancy between the farmers' reports of outstanding payments and the NFSPMC's statements forms the core of an ongoing investigation into the matter, seeking to reconcile these conflicting accounts. This official stance from the NFSPMC has only deepened the frustration among the affected farmers, who insist they have not received their due compensation.
Farmers' Grievances and Hardship
Farmers affected by the payment dispute insist they remain unpaid despite reporting the matter to local authorities, police, and the management of the Kerr Alagie Karu Secco. Their persistent efforts to seek redress through established channels have, to date, not yielded the desired outcome of payment. The delayed payments have caused significant financial hardship for the farmers, severely impacting their ability to cover essential household expenses, meet daily needs, and prepare adequately for the current farming season. This financial strain threatens their future agricultural productivity and the well-being of their families. Several farmers from Toro Alasan and neighbouring communities have expressed profound frustration regarding the pace of the ongoing investigation into the matter, feeling that their plight has not been addressed with the urgency it demands. The inability to access funds from their harvest has created a ripple effect, jeopardizing their capacity to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other key inputs for the next planting cycle.
Police Investigation Details
The Fraud Squad of the Gambia Police Force is currently investigating the matter concerning the unpaid groundnut farmers in Jokadou District. This formal investigation, initiated by the national law enforcement body, shows the seriousness with which the allegations of non-payment are being treated. Investigators are meticulously examining financial records and alleged payments, including those reportedly made through different channels such as WAVE. This process involves a thorough verification of all transactions related to the groundnut deliveries at the Kerr Alagie Karu Secco during the 2025/2026 trading season, aiming to identify any discrepancies or irregularities. The full review of financial data and payment methods is key to understanding the flow of funds and confirming whether all due payments were indeed disbursed to the farmers.
Once the investigation is completed and all evidence has been gathered and analyzed, the case file is expected to be forwarded to court. This step signifies the potential for legal proceedings to resolve the dispute and ensure justice for all parties involved. The police inquiry aims to establish the definitive facts surrounding the non-payment claims made by farmers and to critically assess the National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation's assertion that all farmers have been paid. The findings from the Fraud Squad's diligent work will be key in determining the next steps in addressing the dispute, which could include legal action, policy changes, or other corrective measures. The thoroughness of this investigation is critical to ensuring transparency and accountability within the groundnut trading system.
Government Acknowledges Situation
The president of Kerr Alagie Karu Secco, Jim, and an unnamed partner are currently under investigation regarding the unpaid groundnut farmers and have been released on bail. Their involvement in the leadership of the Secco places them at the center of the inquiry into the financial transactions and payment processes during the critical 2025/2026 trading season. Their release on bail indicates that while they are subjects of the ongoing investigation, they are not currently held in custody, allowing them to cooperate with authorities as required. Their involvement is part of the broader inquiry into the discrepancies surrounding payments for groundnuts delivered during the 2025/2026 trading season. The investigation seeks to clarify the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved in the groundnut purchasing process at the Secco, particularly concerning the alleged non-payment to farmers.
The 2025/2026 groundnut trade season officially concluded on March 31, 2026. This formal closure date marks the end of the period during which the groundnuts were delivered and payments were expected to be processed for farmers in Jokadou District and surrounding areas. The ongoing investigation by the Gambia Police Force's Fraud Squad is specifically examining transactions that occurred up to and around this closing date, scrutinizing all records from the season. Authorities are working diligently to reconcile claims of non-payment against official records from the season, aiming to provide a clear and accurate account of all financial dealings. The outcome of this investigation is eagerly awaited by the affected farmers, who hope it will finally lead to the resolution of their long-standing payment issues and bring much-needed financial relief.
