The 5-hectare garden, utilised by 70 local farmers, has suffered significantly due to the damage of solar panels and other vital equipment, resulting in inadequate water supply.
Mrs. Sarjo Keita, a dedicated member of the community's women gardeners, who was speaking to the Point in an interview, made an urgent appeal. She calls upon individuals, NGOs, government agencies, and philanthropists to provide vital support for the rehabilitation of their damaged facilities and help them secure access to water for their agricultural activities.
She disclosed to the Point that they originally had three water tanks in the garden. However, only one tank is currently operational, as some facilities have been damaged and two of the solar panels are no longer functioning.
"Since the incident last September, we've been relying on the well for water, which has proven to be extremely challenging and unsustainable, making it difficult for us to adequately irrigate all our crops and vegetables," she explained.
“Upon reviewing the rehabilitation costs, we received an estimate suggesting that for D66,000, we can purchase the necessary equipment and complete all repairs," she stated.
“Currently, the lack of sufficient water supply has led to a significant decline in the number of women visiting the garden. This has severely impacted us, as we rely on the harvests to sell in the markets, which in turn allows us to provide for our children's health and other domestic needs,” she remarked.
"We urgently require assistance, as none of us can afford the necessary equipment due to our financial limitations. On behalf of the women of the 'Kafo' group in our community, I humbly appeal to anyone who can extend their support to us," she concluded.
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