The inauguration was held at a colourful ceremony held in the village in Badibu.
With over 400 members, these women, who are mostly engaged in gardening have long suffered inadequate water supply to boost their vegetable production, which serves as their main source of livelihood.
Consequently, the inauguration of this water facility was witnessed by the South Carolina University president, accompanied by the University staff and a cross-section of the community of Badibu Illiassa.
At the event, Col. Alexandra Conyers, president of the South Carolina University, said the project aims to help the women to enhance their productivity as part of efforts to mitigate food insecurity in the country.
Dr. Lamin Drammeh, an Associate Vice President at South Carolina University, underscored the importance of efficient and reliable water supply to promote sustainable agricultural productivity.
That, he added, would also help in improve and high yield produce for women and to be able to make profits
Dr. Demba B. Jallow, director general of National Research Institute (NARI), spoke highly of the collaboration between NARI and the South Carolina State University Department of Public Service and Agriculture.
The collaboration, he added, is geared towards agricultural development in the country, adding that the initiative, thus marks a significant milestone in the ongoing drive to ensure sustainable agricultural development in the country.
Dr. Demba Sabally, Minister for Agriculture, promised to engage the three departments at his Ministry to support the women gardeners in the area.
He added that he will provide 100 bags of organic fertilisers to help the women gardeners.
Similarly, Abdoulie Jammeh, alkalo of Badibu Illiassa, described the project as a game-changer for the people of the area.
Bakary Jammeh, speaking on the behalf of the Chief of Baddibu Illiassa, highlighted that water shortage remains a big challenge for most women, especially those who work in the garden, and are largely dependent on a small well to water their gardens.
Lamin Saidykhan, Governor of North Bank Region, appealed for storage facilities for the women gardeners, who struggle to preserve their perishable goods.
Delivering a vote of thanks, Jainaba Jadama, president of the Illiassa Women Community Garden, on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the sponsors for their foresight and dedication, acknowledging that the project has helped them in easing some of the inadequate water challenges in the area.
