By: Haruna Kuyateh
Women horticultural farmers in Sami Koto, Upper Nuimi, North Bank Region, are calling for support to enhance their agricultural efforts, increase their income, and protect their farms from external threats. They have appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture, NGOs, and philanthropists for assistance with water supply, seeds, and fencing materials at the Alagie Jarjue Vegetable Garden.
Yandeh Manneh, speaking recently to The Voice at Sami Tenda during a visit to the 10-hectare integrated agriculture and agroforestry site known as Jarju Family Farm, highlighted that limited water access hinders their ability to produce vegetables year-round. She urged the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, and the Department of Forestry to support their efforts to boost agricultural production in the region.
Manneh expressed gratitude for the support they had already received, noting that it had significantly improved their production capacity and income. She emphasized that providing boreholes, high-quality seeds, and fencing would make a tremendous difference in enabling year-round vegetable farming.
Alagie Jarjue, Manager of Jarju Family Farm, explained that combining agroforestry practices with vegetable production is crucial for ensuring food security and restoring depleted forest cover. He echoed the women’s call for greater national recognition of agriculture’s importance, urging fellow Gambians to reconnect with the land to increase vegetable and rice production. Jarjue also appealed to the government and NGOs to address water shortages and to help improve production techniques, particularly for vegetable tree nurseries.
The farm’s primary goal, according to Jarjue, is to promote consistent vegetable production throughout the year and to support local communities in their annual tree-planting initiatives.