Farmers, women, and youth from Lower and Upper Niumi and Jokadou districts met with President Adama Barrow on 1 October 2026 in Passy Chally, Upper Niumi District, during his 'Meet the People's Tour'. The meeting took place in the village of Passy Chally in the Upper Niumi District as part of the President's 'Meet the People's Tour'. With the 2026/27 groundnut trade season starting in December, participants requested higher purchase prices. The 2026/27 groundnut trade season is expected to begin in December.
Chief of Upper Niumi District Momodou Charty Cham stated, "We have farmed and Alhamdulillah, the farms are good. However, farmers are appealing for an increase in the price of groundnuts this year, because the government has been buying farmers’ groundnuts at a very good price over the years."
The dialogue provided a platform for community leaders to express their expectations for the agricultural calendar. Chief Momodou Charty Cham emphasized that the current state of the harvest serves as a foundation for the economic stability of the district. Representative for women Isatou Drammeh added, "We are appealing for a better price for our groundnuts for the upcoming trade season because this is what our husbands depend on." Isatou Drammeh noted that the livelihoods of many families within Lower and Upper Niumi and Jokadou districts are tied directly to the income generated from groundnut cultivation.
Economic Concerns for Local Youth
Youth representative Babucarr Njie addressed the economic challenges facing the younger generation during the meeting. He emphasized that the lack of sustainable income opportunities in the region forces many to seek hazardous alternatives. Babucarr Njie stated, "If you are a youth who is responsible for your parents and you do not have a place where you can make at least D500 a day, you will take the risk of going to Europe."
According to Babucarr Njie, creating local employment where young people can earn at least D500 a day is essential to discourage irregular migration. Youth representative Babucarr Njie stated that youth need a place where they can make at least D500 a day to discourage irregular migration. By securing reliable daily wages, he argued, youth would be better positioned to support their families locally rather than pursuing dangerous journeys abroad.
The discussion noted the connection between agricultural pricing, local economic viability, and the decisions of the youth population. Babucarr Njie showed that the pressure to provide for parents and dependents is a primary driver of the migration decisions made by young people in the region. He reiterated that providing a consistent daily income of D500 would allow young individuals to remain in their home districts, thereby reducing the reliance on external migration strategies. The meeting concluded with a focus on how the upcoming trade season could be leveraged to address these broader socio-economic concerns for the people of Lower and Upper Niumi and Jokadou districts.
