Agriculture is a major source of income

Agriculture, one of the things you should know about the Gambia, is the most important sector in the Gambian economy and one of the top development priorities, especially in the new global climate of rising food and oil prices. Agriculture is a major economic driver in The Gambia. It accounts for roughly one-quarter of GDP and employs 75% of the workforce. Peanuts (groundnuts), rice, millet, and sorghum are the main agricultural products grown locally. Mangoes and cashews are the most common fruits grown. These are also the most important cash crops, with rice serving as the staple crop. Only about 38% of the country's total land area, or about 430,000 Ha, is arable.

The Gambia has a lot of potential for irrigated agriculture, thanks to the River Gambia, rainwater that can be harvested, and fossil water that can be drilled. It also has a weather pattern that is suitable for nearly all types of production. The Ministry of Agriculture has a mandate to develop and modernize agriculture, and it states that it will provide all necessary support and incentives to any serious investor who wants to invest and operate in support of the government's efforts to develop the sector.