The following is from the Point Newpaper.
According to the 2002 agricultural census, an estimated 70, 000 dabadaa 
cultivate about 140,000 hectares  to produce some 150,000 tonnes of 
peanuts. This translates to no more than 2 tonnes of groundnut per 
dabadaa. To produce 2 tonnes of groundnut the dabadaa will need two 100 
meters by 100 meters or 4-adult size soccer fields with fields. Assuming 
5 working persons per dabadaa and 30 working days in a farming season 
each dabadaa will spend 5 persons  X 8hrs X  30 days = 1200 hrs of labor 
to produce 2000 kilos or 2 tonnes of groundnut.  At the ASPA price of 
D6.50 the dabadaa will earn D13000 ($500)  or a little more than D10 
($0.30) per hour.

All this within the context of war against poverty -- aka  MDG, PSRP, 
city-state,  collaborating with Europe to control migration to greener 
Europe. It really does not add up.


Malanding Jaiteh


Groundnut Price Pegged at 6,500 Dalasis
Tuesday 19th December 2006

The Agribusiness Service Plan Association (ASPA), in consultation with 
the Government of The Gambia, has fixed six thousand, five hundred 
dalasis (D6,500) per metric ton as the producer price for groundnuts for 
the 2006/7 marketing session.

Last year, the price per metric ton was seven thousand, five hundred 
dalasis (D7,500).

In a press statement, ASPA also declared Friday, 22nd December 2006 as 
the official start for this year's groundnut-marketing season in the 
Gambia. 

According to the release, the Producer Price Determination Mechanism 
takes into account the World Market Price and compares quite favourably 
with what obtains in the sub-region. 

The release urges farmers to sell their produce through the existing 
marketing outlets.



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