An investigation into the possibilities of improving agricultural products export of the Gambiya

Agriculture is the main source of income for rural residents in the Gambia. The contribution of agriculture to GDP, foreign currency earnings and the percentage of total workforce is 22 percent, 70 percent and 75 percent, respectively. Various measures have been taken by the government to increase the contribution of the agricultural sector to GDP. However, agricultural exports are largely concentrated on three market commodities (peanuts, cashews, and aquaculture), which are constantly subject to fluctuations in the international market, such as quantity, price and low competitiveness. While the agricultural products export in Gambia was 23 million USD in 2014; agricultural products import was around 98 million USD. This poor African country in West Africa is an agricultural product importer. In this context, the purpose of this thesis study is to make inferences in terms of improving the agricultural policy in Gambia within the framework of all economic and social constraints This study also seeks to look into how corruption affects agriculture. Mutlnomial Logit regression approach will be used to examine the relationship that exists between the export of agricultural goods and corruption. The results of the research revealed that the obstacles to the export of agricultural products are caused by natural conditions and structural problems, but the effects of these problems are felt much more due to organizational structural defects. The results will provide a guide for decision makers in understanding how important corruption and corrupt administrative structure is.