The visit was aimed at getting first-hand information on the the bank’s supervised project as well as to have a close interaction with beneficiaries on the current opportunities and constraints faced by vegetable producers.
Moreover, the visit was part of the bank’s annual Project Portfolio Review of all GAFSP funded projects under its supervision in the African continent held from 4th to 8th March 2024 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba International Conference Centre.
At the field visit, Phillip Boahen, lead partnership and coordination for AfDB, shared his delight with what he saw on the ground, noting that the GAFSP has provided solar generated water facilities to supply the garden with water year around.
“We have heard the project director said ‘the project will provide solar powered cold storage facility to ensure the women are enabled to store their products before taking them to the market’. This will not only increase the shelf-life of the onion but also increase income for producers.”
Mr. Boahen maintained that the investment bank has funded a series of projects in the country, citing road construction, energy and others.
That agricultural investment, he went on, is important in empowering local producers, thereby minimising importation of edible products and ensuring food security in the country.
“I am quite sure in The Gambia, we import a number of things and even onions are imported from neighboring countries. So, why don’t we support our own women, and farmers to produce our foodstuff; this is the essence of the Feed Africa Strategy.” he said.
He, thus, commended the Gambia government through the Ministry of Agriculture for ensuring smooth and timely implementation of the project.
The project, he added, is successful as a result of the leadership and commitment of the Agricultural Ministry.
Momodou Sowe, project director for GAFSP said the AfDB field visit aimed at getting first-hand information prior to the year’s Annual Project Portfolio Review Workshop of all Global Agriculture and Food Security Project (GAFSP) funded projects which being supervised by the investment bank.
The GAFSP project, he added, has provided the women gardeners of Kalagi with a series of support.
“We have provided them with climate smart certified seeds; technical support in terms of agricultural practices and cold storage facility to manage post-harvest losses.”
He, therefore advised women gardeners in the area to continue their efforts, assuring that the Ministry is committed to working with all producers, especially women.
Fatou Sanyang, president for Kalagi Women Gardeners commended GAFSP for the timely intervention.
She, however, urged GAFSP to increase their water supply, provide them cold storage and compose a facility to improve their soil fertility.
