Community gardens and rice production
Give water, reap a future!
By installing sustainable water systems, Gammol ensures that residents have clean drinking water every day. But the impact extends far beyond that. Water also makes vegetable gardens and rice production possible.
Community gardens
With the arrival of a reliable water supply, local communities have seized the opportunity to create community gardens. These are shared vegetable gardens where vegetables are grown.
Gammol motivates and encourages local people to take initiative. By collaborating with the communities involved, we encourage them to develop ideas and join forces. This creates community gardens that grow from within, are sustainable, and are supported by the local population.
Villages and communities that take these initiatives will receive additional support. Initially, this will involve an additional water tank to ensure sufficient water availability. In addition, the gardens must be fenced because there is a risk of stray animals trampling or eating the crops. A solid fence is essential. This is the first step we expect the villages to take: ensuring a sturdy fence. Depending on our budgets, we will explore whether we can provide further support. This way we keep the animals outside and let the opportunities in!
Food security
The gardens are a source of healthy food and provide a constant supply of fresh vegetables. Families eat a more varied and nutritious diet.
Economic opportunities
By selling surplus produce at local markets, families can generate additional income.
Connection and collaboration
Women are empowered in their role as driving forces in the community.
The gardens are maintained together, which strengthens solidarity and community spirit.
Rice production (in test)
In our quest to strengthen food security in The Gambia, we launched a rice project in 2024.
Rice is a staple food for many Gambians, but reliance on imports makes families vulnerable to price increases and shortages. We want to change that.
There are sufficient fields available for rice production, and thanks to the presence of the Gambia River, we believe in the project's potential for success.
With this project, we are investigating how local rice cultivation can contribute to:
- increased food security for the population;
- a more sustainable, self-sufficient food system;
- new sources of income for the communities.
Together with several local farmers, we are testing suitable rice varieties and cultivating a plot (currently approximately 2 hectares). As with our water and gardening projects, community involvement is central here as well.
