The event marked the handover of several bags of high-quality organic fertiliser and a donation of special high-yield cashew tree seedlings imported from Vietnam. The project aims to support the school in cultivating its garden with organic methods, while also planting cashew trees as a long-term source of both environmental benefit and income.
Head of Admin and Marketing at Eco-Soil, Aminata Sonko, emphasised the importance of environmental preservation and its protection in today’s world.
“This is about education, empowerment, and environmental care. We want students to understand the value of organic farming, learn responsibility through tree care, and benefit from what these trees will offer in the future: shade, food, and potential income.” she said.
The initiative, she added, also aims to discourage the use of chemical fertilisers such as NPK and urea, replacing them with Eco-Soil’s locally processed organic alternative.
“The fertilizer not only enriches the soil naturally but also supports healthier crop production over time.”
Trade Promotion and Access to Finance Officer at Shelter for Life, and President of the Gambia Cashew Federation, Louie Sylva, dwelled on the regional impact of such collaboration, with Shelter for Life International, which supports agricultural development projects across The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau by providing logistical and financial backing for the donation.
“We partnered with Eco-Soil to expand organic fertilizer production and support cashew cultivation across the sub-region. This donation is a small part of a much bigger picture empowering communities and schools to adopt sustainable practices that benefit people and the planet.”
School authorities welcomed the gesture, expressing their commitment to nurturing the donated trees and using the fertiliser to boost their school garden. Each cashew tree will be assigned to a pair of students to care for, ensuring regular watering and monitoring—even during school holidays.
The principal of Chares Jaw, Kebba Tamba, lauded the timing of this project; it aligns with their goals of greening the campus and integrating agriculture into student learning.
Students also participated in a live demonstration led by Eco-Soil’s Abdoulie Dumbuya, who explained how to properly plant and care for the cashew seedlings.
As the trees begin to take root, organisers hope the project will inspire similar initiatives across other schools, promoting food security, income generation, and environmental stewardship from the classroom up.
