SC State PSA introduced a solar-powered water system to The Gambia. The project includes a well and pump system supplying 49 concrete reservoirs with 30,000-liter capacity tanks, along with buckets and watering cans for distribution.
Water Shortage Hinders Agricultural Productivity
In The Gambia, a significant breakthrough in agricultural productivity is underway; thanks to South Carolina State University's (SC State) Public Service and Agriculture division (SC State PSA). For over 20 years, Saffiatou Jammeh and other women in her village have labored intensively to cultivate their community garden. Their efforts have faced numerous challenges, primarily due to a severe shortage of water.
Jammeh recalls the early days of working the garden. "We even had to cut the trees because it was bushy," she said. The struggle to protect the garden from wildlife required constructing makeshift fences from wood cut from the surrounding bush. Over time, the challenges evolved. Water scarcity began to take its toll on the garden’s productivity. Wells ran dry, and the equipment to extract water deteriorated. For about 400 women tending the plots, these conditions put their livelihoods at risk.
"At one point, my husband asked me to stop working in the garden because the production was limited," Jammeh explained. "The benefit wasn’t coming due to the water shortage."
Solar-Powered Well Boosts Food Security for Gambian Women Farmers
The situation began to change with the intervention of SC State PSA. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the 1890 Universities Foundation Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense (GFSD), the project introduced a new solar-powered water system. This system features a well and pump setup, delivering water to 49 newly installed and renovated concrete reservoirs across the fields. Each tank has a capacity of 30,000 liters, and additional resources such as buckets and watering cans were provided for effective water distribution.
Jammeh has noticed a dramatic improvement since the new water system was implemented. "When we had limited water, I used to have about six bags of onions. Now, with this new system, I can have double or even more," she said. The increased water supply allows her to tend the garden twice a day, significantly improving her yield and easing her daily work routine. "It has been transformative and has eased my life and constraints these days."
The project, named "Cultivating Productivity and Resilience to Mitigate Food Insecurity in The Gambia," emerged from a needs assessment conducted by GFSD in 2021. Dr. Lamin Drammeh, a Gambian native and SC State PSA coordinator, spearheaded the initiative. SC State collaborated with The Gambia's National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and the Ministry of Agriculture to design and implement the water system.
The project included ten new concrete reservoirs and 39 renovated ones. It also involved installing a 30,000-liter water tank system with 12 solar power units, each with a capacity of 385W/32V. A comprehensive water network was established to link these reservoirs, and a water meter system was put in place to monitor usage.
Addressing Other Challenges
Despite the significant progress, challenges remain. NARI’s representative, Jallow pointed out additional needs such as a storage facility for perishable crops like tomatoes. Without proper storage, farmers risk losing their produce before it can reach the market. "Most vegetables are highly perishable. They need a place to store them until they can be sold," Jallow said. Another priority is acquiring small power tillers to replace manual labor and animal-drawn plows, which are less efficient.
Jallow expressed deep appreciation for the support from SC State and its partners. "To the people of South Carolina, the government of the U.S., and South Carolina State University, I want to say thank you very much," he said. "This is a rare thing for us to have something of this magnitude."
The new solar water system represents a crucial step forward in addressing food insecurity in The Gambia. It not only enhances agricultural productivity but also provides women like Jammeh with the tools they need to sustain their families and communities. As the partnership continues, there is hope that further support will address remaining challenges and lead to even greater improvements in the agricultural sector.