News in Brief:
– African Development Bank (AfDB) allocated an additional $16 million to bolster The Gambia’s agriculture and food security project.
– The project aims to empower women and youth in the agricultural sector through initiatives like climate-resistant crops and support for smallholder farmers.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved an additional $16.08 million to support the ongoing Agriculture and Food Security Project in the Gambia.
This funding will help the nation to enhance food security, improve agricultural productivity, and empower vulnerable populations, particularly women and youth.
Launched in 2021, the project has already seen progress. Early results show that over 63,000 beneficiaries have participated, generating an estimated income of $750,000 for smallholder farmers. It has also aided the generation of 14,000 tonnes of poultry meat, 964,200 tonnes of vegetables, and 167,450 eggs.
In addition, the project has distributed daily meals to 39,397 school children through its support for the homegrown school feeding initiative. One benefit of this feeding programme is that areas enjoying the free meals have witnessed an increase in primary school enrolments.
Meantime, this additional funding is expected to further bolster production across Gambia’s agricultural sector, contributing to the nation’s food security goals.
Particularly, the $16 million will go into improving the following areas of the sector:
- Expanding cultivation of climate-resistant crops: This aims to ensure a stable food supply in the face of potential climate challenges.
- Supporting small-scale farmers: Resources will be directed towards improving access to tools, training, and other essential support for smallholder farmers, with a specific focus on women and youth.
- Enhancing social security and nutrition: The project will incorporate initiatives that address the social and nutritional needs of the population.
This initiative highlights the AfDB’s commitment to supporting African nations in achieving sustainable food security and empowering vulnerable communities.
