Do you think traditional cuisine is different? Each country to its region in the world has different traditional dishes. One can’t beat another because each has an authentic, unique taste. Have you ever tried any kind of meal prepared by the nuts? It’s pretty confidential that everyone has tried this kind of meal at least once. You might be fascinated with tasty chicken cashew nut salad if you are from China. Though it’s Chinese cuisine, it is also a favourite dish among many other countries Bangladeshi. No doubt, meat prepared with nuts has captivated people’s taste buds, so, does Gambian Domoda. 

Gambian people have prepared a traditional dish, Gambian Peanut Stew. This is a flavorful dish valued by Gambians and those who must have tried it. The key ingredient of this dish is peanuts, and Gambian peanuts are also famous is gambian peanuts. This Domoda is unique because the Gambia has an abundance of peanuts. Beyond the traditional dishes, this whole nation has shaped its slavery for its peanut cultivation.

Economic Impact: Peanuts are Gambia’s most exported crops, contributing 66% of the country’s agricultural export earnings. Around 70% of Gambians are involved in peanut production.

Health Benefits: Peanuts contain protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins like Vitamin E and biotin. Their tryptophan content promotes heart health, aids weight management, and improves mood.

Investment Opportunities: With steady production growth and rising global demand, Gambia presents a promising opportunity for investors in peanut farming, processing, and export.

Gambian peanut stew has meat, vegetables, and a rich peanut sauce served with rice. This Gambian peanut is unique for its historical significance, cultural importance, and distinctive flavour. From the 19th century to today, peanuts have been a significant cash crop in the Gambia. In the case of The Gambia, records show that it has exported peanuts since 1829.  It began when a shipment of 100 baskets went out to the West Indies. Increased demand by Britain and America in the ensuing years saw the expansion of peanuts upwards along the Gambia River.

Besides Domoda, the Gambian people use peanuts in many culinary ways, the most famous of which is peanut butter. People outside of Gambia love to eat Gambian peanut butter, not only in Gambia. About this peanut butter, the local people say, “ Many farmers in Gambia work in Peanut farms. We are in love with peanut butter. The organic process of making peanut butter is the favourite item with bread for breakfast.”

Peanut butter is a vital source of protein for babies. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics now suggests feeding peanut butter babies with mild to moderate eczema or an egg allergy by the age of 6 months. 

Peanut sauce is often served in many dishes due to its strong, nutty flavour. Various local sweets and candies use peanuts to manufacture them. Another popular form is boiled peanuts, which are soft but flavorful. Baked goods such as cakes and cookies also use peanuts in their recipes.

These goods are appreciated not only for their taste but also for health benefits. Other items are also famous for taste. Roasted peanuts, usually roasted and salted, are an ordinary and popular snack. 

Peanuts also contain healthy fats that help lower bad cholesterol, hence helping to reduce risks for heart diseases. Peanuts are low on the fat scale but are rare in proteins and fibre, responsible for satiety and good weight management. Full of Vitamin E and high in antioxidants, peanuts promote a better immune system against most diseases. Peanuts’ biotin and Vitamin E help with skin health, keeping it moist and wrinkle-free. Minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus help keep bones strong and healthy. 

Peanuts contain tryptophan, an amino acid. In the production of serotonin, this amino acid improves mood and reduces stress. Peanuts have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation in the body. People with diabetes also benefit from its low glycemic index. People can also control blood sugar levels.

Peanuts also have non-culinary uses. The leftover peanut shells are used in gardening as mulch or to make particleboard. Peanut protein is used in supplements and protein powders because of its high protein content. Peanut oil is used in soaps, lotions, and creams because of its moisturising effect. Presently, research is being conducted on using it as a renewable source of biofuel. The by-product from extracting the oil from peanuts is used for animal feed or in fertilisers.

However, peanut butter has many benefits, including health, skin, and more. The Gambia has an abundance of peanuts, so many people work in peanut or groundnut farms. The government also prioritises this segment as it has saved a nation from slavery. It is interesting to learn how a nation shaped its slavery by a nut.

As peanut farming became more profitable, the British colonial government started appreciating the economic benefits of shifting away from slavery. Thus, the shift from slave labour to wage labour transformed Gambian society. Peanuts are one of the crucial crops in modern-day Gambia, generating income for the country and a livelihood for many farmers. It has been estimated that 70% of the people in Gambia are employed in producing, handling, processing, and marketing peanuts. Still, people need help, and this Gambia can’t stand on the list of high-ranked sellers regarding peanuts. There are reasons why they are facing difficulties.

• Rainfall and temperature fluctuations affect yields and water availability. Higher intensities and drought frequencies limit the ability to sustain crop production continually. 
• In most cases, the farmers have poor access to high-quality seeds resistant to pests and diseases. 
• Inaccessibility to modern farming equipment and technology is limiting efficiency and productivity. 
• The poor road network makes access to markets difficult; hence, transportation of peanuts to the markets is delayed, and losses are probably incurred. 
• Inadequate storage facilities lead to post-harvest losses due to spoilage and pests. 
• Inadequate market access and fair prices lower farmers’ incomes and profitability. 
• Lack of financial support and credit facilities hinders the farmers from investing in their farms for betterment.

Lack of financial support and other causes can also be reduced if investors help. Investors can take the initiative to change the circumstances and make the country the most profitable for peanut exporters. Investors can take initiatives like-

• Adopt climate-resilient crops to cope with erratic weather. Based on climate predictions, investors can take initiatives to assist farmers in planning activities and mitigating risks.
• Government and NGO-backed initiatives to provide subsidised or free high-quality seeds to farmers, particularly smallholders.
• Encourage the adoption of affordable, long-lasting preservation methods such as silos, cold storage, and hermetic storage bags to prevent crop spoilage.
• Train on using modern technologies & Other processes are launching like- developing land leasing programs. Farmers can rent tractors, harvesters, and other machinery for a season.
• Mobile market solutions/mart centres closer to farm sites—close to their buyers and better prices.
• Set Up Farmers-needs-based affordable Microfinance Institutions or Agr-Credit Schemes with easy repayment terms.
• Public-private partnerships to develop insurance products to help farmers offset their risk to weather and pests.

• In 2021, the production was approximately 111,160 metric tons, projected to reach 114,060 by 2026 at an average annual growth rate of 0.4%. In 2022, The Gambia exported US$139 in groundnuts. In 2023, the Gambia is projected to produce 96,063 metric tons of peanuts, an increase of 8% from 2022.
•  The leading destination of The Gambia’s groundnut exports is the Netherlands. Peanut exports in the Gambia were valued at approximately 762,574 GMD (Gambian Dalasi) thousands during the third quarter of 2024. The major export partners of Gambian peanuts include Senegal, Guinea, the United Kingdom, and China.
•  Peanuts are the Gambia’s dominant export crop, accounting for 66% of the country’s agricultural export earnings. By 2026, the country’s peanut consumption will reach 96,000 metric tons.

This statistical evidence shows why someone must invest in this sector. It has vast human power and traditional knowledge of cultivating peanuts, so investors should take advantage of the opportunity to win. This Gambia is the perfect place for those thinking of starting a business in the peanut sector. 

Gambia’s peanut industry has a top global and economic prospect. Peanuts aren’t just a foundational building block of the nation’s culinary heritage, as in the dish Domoda. This is also a major driver of economic growth and provides for the livelihood of approximately 70% of the population. Meanwhile, uncertainty around climate and essential infrastructure hints at a necessity; peanut demand is growing in Gambia. It is a unique investment opportunity. The Gambia can strengthen its position by adopting modern agricultural methods, improving storage facilities, and increasing market access with proper strategic solutions. Therefore, investors can invest here and, with motivation to solve the problems, they can ensure a good business run.