Guest post by Elizabeth Smith, Canadian Red Crosser
Barrow Kunda women gardeners display some of their sorrel and okra crops
Photo: Canadian Red Cross/ Arthur Mackossot
A woman from Barrow Kunda district shares her pride in her gardening success with Arthur
Photo: Canadian Red Cross
Growing rice in Ganjur community
Photo: Canadian Red Cross/ Arthur Mackossot
In Gambia, one of Africa's smallest countries, rain-fed subsistence agriculture is the main livelihood for the majority of its population of just under two million people.
An especially poor rainfall in 2011-12 resulted in the majority of the Gambian population not having enough to eat. The Red Cross responded to this emergency with the support of the Government of Canada. A “twin-track approach” was used which ensures people have the food for immediate survival, as well as a supply of good quality seed and fertilizer to meet future needs.
In addition, efforts to support
women-run vegetable gardens were initiated as a solution for the longer-term needs in the North Bank and Lower River regions. Each garden is maintained and managed by committees of women who work in the garden, while other community members – both men and women – supply additional labour, for example, getting the crops to markets. The Red Cross provided management training to each committee.
When Canadian Red Cross Operations Manager, Arthur Mackossot, visited the community gardens last year, he reported the good news that not only are the gardens still thriving, they are helping to supply nutritious food to families; the women are also able to sell produce to support other family needs. This outcome is especially positive, as the intervening years continued to see poor rainfall.
In both regions Arthur conducted surveys of the community members, and in the Lower River Region, women gardeners were proud to say the produce provides food for their families, has diversified their nutrition, and overall “positively changed the livelihoods” of the community. They have over 2,000 seedbeds that grow onions, carrots, peppers, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, cabbage, and sorrel. The compost from the gardens helps provide fertilizer to improve crop growth.
In the North Bank region, women are growing vegetables in the gardens in the dry season and rice in the rainy season. The women there say the revenues from vegetable sales have increased every year and help pay their children’s school fees. Both communities boast of having bank accounts that are “in the black”.
The investment in the community gardens has helped rural Gambian women develop sustainable coping skills while generating a reliable source of food and income for their families.