By: Momodou Gagigo
The Toroba community and surrounding villages in The Gambia welcomed their first-ever garden, handed over by ActionAid International, The Gambia, under an EU-funded initiative. The project, designed to combat the pitfalls of conventional farming, promises to revolutionize sustainable agriculture, empower women, and uplift livelihoods in this rural enclave.
The handover ceremony unfolded in an amicable atmosphere, alive with traditional music, colorful attire, and communal dances that reflected the deep-rooted heritage of the Fula people. Presided over by European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Ms. Immaculada Roca Cortès, alongside local leaders, village elders, and delegates from ActionAid in both The Gambia and Senegal, the event marked a milestone in community-driven development.
The initiative is titled “Boosting Sustainable Production and Use of Organic Fertilizer.” It targets Toroba and its satellite villages, introducing organic farming techniques to replace chemical-dependent methods. As the garden’s gates swung open amid cheers, participants hailed it as a beacon of hope against soil degradation, erratic rainfall, and economic hardship plaguing smallholder farmers.
Representing the village, Alkalo Bubacarr Bah expressed profound gratitude. “I am thankful to the EU and ActionAid for considering Toroba in such great aid,” he said, his voice booming over the crowd. “We, the beneficiaries, will use this project best. It will change our livelihoods forever.”
Echoing his sentiments, women’s group leader Isatou Jallow described the garden as “a dream come true.” She recounted the struggles of past seasons: “It used to be very challenging for us agricultural enthusiasts to reap benefits from our farms due to pests and lack of water during the dry season.” Jallow praised ActionAid’s intervention: “They’ve brought lifelong development. The new farming methods save us money, and the advanced tools will go a long way in combating poverty. We must be grateful.”
The excitement was palpable for beneficiary Kadijatou Jallow, a lifelong gardener whose plots have long sustained her family. Walking through the blooming fields during an exclusive interview, she beamed: “ActionAid didn’t just give us a garden—they introduced us to organic agriculture for sustainable farming. We can’t repay them enough. This can change our lives if we take it seriously.” She added, “The new methods will save us money and boost our economic growth.”
Ambassador Cortès, in her keynote address, underscored the project’s core pillars: sustainable agriculture, livelihood improvement, and women’s empowerment. “This initiative promotes organic fertilizers as a key component of sustainable agriculture, enhancing soil health and crop yields while reducing environmental impact,” she stated. Commending ActionAid’s role, she said: “I want to recognize and thank their presence—without them, we wouldn’t be here today. The European Union provides the financing, but ActionAid made it happen. I salute the community’s commitment; this is with you and for you.”
Funded by the European Union and implemented by ActionAid, the Toroba Garden spans fertile acres and is equipped with irrigation systems, composting units for organic fertilizers, and training centers. Experts anticipate it will foster food security by increasing yields by up to 30% through eco-friendly practices, while creating income streams for over 200 women-led cooperatives.
Local leaders project that within two years, the garden could reduce reliance on imported fertilizers by 50%, curbing costs and pollution. “This isn’t just a garden—it’s a lifeline against climate change,” noted Ndella Faye Colley, Executive Director of ActionAid International, The Gambia.
