By Alieu Ceesay
At the Women in STEM Gambia Annual Conference 2025, held under the theme “Transforming Gambian Agriculture Through STEM,” Kodou Jeng, President of Women in STEM Gambia, delivered a powerful call to action, emphasizing the pivotal role women must play in modernizing the nation’s agricultural sector through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“Agriculture is the backbone of The Gambia’s economy, employing the majority of our population,” Jeng declared in her keynote address.
“However, traditional farming methods alone can no longer sustain us in today’s fast-changing world.” She stressed that integrating STEM into agriculture is vital to tackling pressing challenges like climate change and global market competition while boosting efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.
The conference showcased the organization’s successes, with Jeng highlighting the STEMathon competition as a standout achievement. “One of the most inspiring moments was seeing young girls develop agriculture-focused projects that tackled real challenges,” she said. “This proves that, when given the opportunity, young women can lead the transformation of agriculture and technology in The Gambia.”
Despite these strides, Jeng pointed to persistent hurdles, notably an education system that often fails to equip young Gambians with practical skills. She advocated for a curriculum overhaul, urging a shift toward hands-on, skill-based learning that prioritizes STEM and technical training to better prepare students for the workforce.
The president also praised key partners driving this mission forward. Her Excellency, the First Lady of The Gambia, was recognized for funding STEM education for girls, while the QGroup Foundation earned applause for providing scholarships in STEM fields. “These contributions are life-changing,” Jeng noted, “but we need more initiatives like this to ensure that every young Gambian, regardless of gender or background, has access to STEM opportunities.”
Echoing her sentiments, Fatou Jammeh Touray, Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, called for a mindset shift to bolster the agricultural sector. “We need science across the agricultural value chain to add value,” she told attendees.
“We cannot develop The Gambia if the food system is on scrambles.” Touray urged STEM professionals to step up and innovate, enhancing productivity in farming.
Jeng concluded with a rallying cry: “The transformation we seek starts with us. Each of us has a role to play in building a future where STEM leads the way in agriculture and beyond.”
The Women in STEM Gambia Annual Conference 2025 brought together diverse leaders, educators, students, policymakers, and industry experts, cementing its status as a vital platform for sparking innovation and advancing national development through STEM-driven solutions.
