Agriculture is a key sector of the Gambian economy and contributes to 17% of GDP and 30-40% of export earnings. It employs almost half (46%) of the workforce and is the source of income for 80% of the rural population. Economic performance is improving, without translating into a reduction in poverty, which remains widespread and deep, with a national poverty rate of 49 %, and mainly rural (69% of rural poverty). Food security is undermined by structural problems, such as irregular rainfall, which leads to a decrease in agricultural production and affects the availability and accessibility of food. As national production covers only 50% of the country’s food needs, The Gambia is dependent on imports. More than half of the Gambian population is food insecure.
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