<p></p><p>The government in Banjul through its Ministry of Trade has launched The Gambia Cashew and Sesame Sectors Development and Export Strategy 2014 – 2019, a local newspaper reported Wednesday.Foroyaa newspaper quoted Permanent Secretary at the Trade Ministry, Naffie Barry saying at the launching that the development of the strategy had taken a seasoned approach which involved a value chain analysis and diagnoses of the sectors, defined strategic orientation and developed detailed plan of action with clear objectives.</p> <p>She said for the first time the cashew and sesame sectors in The Gambia have a guiding document that will give better focus and structured interventions to enhance production and productivity to increase exports. </p><p>Mrs. Barry noted that the document is aligned to the recommendations of the National Export Strategy, the Agriculture and Natural Resource Policy, The Gambia National Investment Programme, the National Trade Policy and the Diagnostic Trade Integration.</p> <p>Momodou Ceesay, the president of the Cashew Alliance of the Gambia, said cashew is the fastest growing export crop in the country and it is of vital importance its socio economic development.He said the strategy, when implemented, will contribute positively to the rapid development of a sustainable cashew sector that would enhance export competitiveness, raise rural income and reduce poverty. </p><p>However, groundnut remains Gambia’s best known agricultural resource. </p><p> </p><br><p></p>