supplement domestic cereal production. For the L984/gS marketing year (October/September), the deficit to be met by rice imports is estimated at about 391000 tons. Commercial rice imports were planned at a level of 241000 tons but, owing to the severe balance of payments problem created by the sharp drop in earnings from ground-nuts exports, only 12r000 tons had been irnported commercially in L984/85 as of 3l uay 1985. Food aid received as at 31 May 1985 totals 9,300 tons, 6st1y reflecting arnunts pledged for L983/84 but which arrived in the Lg84/85 marketing year. Food aid expected between June and September 1985 totals Irl90 tons of cereals, entirely for development projects. The uncovered rice deficit for June-September, namely, the last four months of the L984/85 marketing season, is about 161000 tons. 7. rhe public tnvestment Proqramme (PIP) 1984/85-1987/88 1,02. A public Investment Programme (PIP) 1984/85-1987/88, was prepared for the tilcvember 1984 Conference of tbnors, superseding the last two ltears of the second five year plan and extending two years beyond that Pl.an. The period was selected to give donors a medium-term perspective on public investment in the Gambia and its needs for assistance. The PIP is intended as a bridge between the second and third five year plans. 108. Investment under the Programme is concentrated in the agriculture and natural resources, transport and communications, and public utilities sectors. External assistance of D lrO40 million or 89 per cent of total cost was envisaged of which D 4ll million would be in the form of grants with the remainder loans. Pledges or expressions of interest and intent nere made at the Conference of Donors by the African Development Bank, China, Egypt, the European Economic Community (EEC)r France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Italy, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea.
**Analysis**
The text appears to be focused on discussing the economic development of The Gambia, specifically in the areas of agriculture, trade, and investment. It mentions the need to supplement domestic cereal production and the plans for public investment in agriculture, transport, and public utilities. The text also discusses the country's balance of payments problem and the role of food aid and international assistance.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, International trade, Economic development