Chamen women gardeners appeal for pesticides, other farming materials

The women of Chamen village in Nianija District of the Central River Region, engaged in horticultural gardening, have appealed to the Gambia government through the Department of Agriculture to help them with some pesticides for the protection of their garden crops.

The appeal was made by the said village community members during an interview with the said gardeners at the weekend in their village.

Speaking to this reporter, Kadijatou Jallow, a horticultural gardener in Chamen, explained that their association is comprised of more than three hundred women who all agreed to come together and establish a garden in their village to generate income for their schoo lchildren.

She narrated that the garden was set up thanks to the support of one of the villagers, Musa Cham, who contributed immensely towards the establishment of the garden.

Kadijatou said the community of Chamen deemed it necessary to diversify in the cropping season in rice field and in other areas.

“Based on this, the women deemed it necessary to engage in horticultural gardening, which is another viable venture for us as a source of income,” she added.

Madam Jallow noted that the importance they attach to gardening cannot be over-emphasised as “this will greatly help the women” to improve their livelihood through income and eating good food from their produce.  

She also disclosed that Nianija district, which is one of the leading districts in rice cultivation, engaged in horticulture with the aim of addressing some issues affecting them, especially at family level.

Also speaking to this reporter, Isatou Bah, another farmer, explained that Chamen women are very much committed towards the establishment and success of their garden project.

“We are doing everything possible both at the rice field and the garden to meet our daily survival,” she said.

She revealed that some of their main challenges are transportation to carry their goods to the Lumo, pesticides, a well, market for small businesses, storage facilities, and seedlings.

For her part, Hawa Gulo Cham commended the Gambia government under the leadership of President Jammeh for putting Gambian women at the forefront of national development.

She however appealed to the department of livestock and horticulture development to come to their aid and provide them with seedlings, pesticides, local well, among other necessities for their business.

Other people who spoke to our reporter included Fatou Cham, who spoke on behalf of the youths. She also appealed for support to women in their village.