The Gambia on Tuesday launched two major five-year projects aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems and transitioning to sustainable agriculture as the country steps up efforts to combat climate change, deforestation and land degradation.
The projects — the Great Green Wall (GGW) RECOSERV Gambia Project and the FARM-Plus Project — were officially launched at a ceremony held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.
The projects are funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and executed by the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Speaking at the launch, NEA Executive Director Dawda Badjie said the projects represent more than just new programmes but a renewed national commitment to environmental sustainability.
“Today’s event represents a renewed commitment to addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing The Gambia, while building a more sustainable, productive and climate resilient future,” Badjie said.
The RECOSERV Gambia project under the Great Green Wall initiative seeks to restore an ecological corridor for forest biodiversity conservation. It will restore 43,000 hectares of degraded forest and wetland ecosystems, upgrade management across 38,000 hectares of protected areas, and introduce sustainable practices on 36,000 hectares of rural landscapes.
According to NEA, the interventions will benefit about 795,000 people, majority of them women.
FAO Country Representative Moshibudi Rampedi said the two projects will advance a greener and more resilient Gambia in line with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
She said FAO will support farmers and extension workers to adopt alternatives that reduce harmful chemicals, conserve water and reduce waste.
For his part, Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally said the projects are a bold statement of collective resolve to restore degraded lands and empower farmers.
“The Great Green Wall is more than a wall of dreams. It is our national commitment to combating desertification and securing the productive capacity of our agricultural lands,” Sabally said.
He said FARM-Plus will strengthen policies, improve access to finance and insurance, build technical capacity and promote sustainable value chains to help farmers transition to agroecological and climate-smart agriculture.
Minister of Environment Rohey John Manjang said the country’s natural resources remain fundamental to the economy and livelihoods but face increasing pressure. She called for community participation and accountability in implementation, saying success should be measured by survival of restored forests and tangible improvement in livelihoods.
Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow said the projects affirm that environmental protection and agricultural transformation are not competing priorities but mutually reinforcing.
He stressed that success should not be measured only by trees planted but by recovery of functioning ecosystems, biodiversity and stronger community livelihoods.
The launch was attended by senior government officials, UN agencies, farmer associations and development partners.
