The newly established Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA) , has put in place strong and uncompromising measures to control the price of meat and at the same time increase production of livestock in the country and beyond.

These developments come on the heels of the inauguration of the board of directors of the GLMA, headed by Dr Carayol and assisted by Dr Demba B.Jallow, its director general. Speaking to journalists at a press briefing held at his Abuko Veterinary Office, Dr Jallow gave a detailed historical overview of the Agency right from its enactment at the National Assembly through the visionary and committed leadership of President Jammeh, and the objectives of the Agency among others.

Jallow explained that the Agency will soon come out with a mechanism based on the use of weighing scales and buying and selling of animals destined for slaughter as part of efforts geared towards having a fair transaction between buyers, sellers and consumers in the market. “Slaughter slabs, butcher shops, kiosks and abattoirs will be constructed by the agency at strategic locations both within the urban and rural areas to avoid unnecessary congestion of consumers and dealers at one place. Above all, the Abuko central abattoir will be refurbished in order to increase its capacity to handle more animals destined for slaughter,” he revealed.

He stated that the Agency will register all the butchers and dealers in the world of livestock marketing and will also equip all the livestock marketing centres across the country with facilities such as feeding, shade, water,  manure disposal pit and examine animals to ensure that only the healthy ones are bought and presented for slaughter. “In addition to that, the agency will train both farmers and dealers about proper methods of handling animals and as to how best farmers and consumers can get the best out the animal products instead of benefiting only middlemen in the marketing,” he said.

The GLMA boss also revealed that they will embark on collecting and managing cattle tax from farmers, explaining that this was the responsibility of the local government officials but now designated to the Agency. He finally expressed gratitude to the Gambian leader for coming up with the brilliant ideal of creating the Agency.