SC State PSA introduced a solar-powered water system in The Gambia. The project features a well and pump system supplying 49 concrete reservoirs—each with a 30,000-liter tank—and provides buckets and watering cans for distribution.
Water Shortage Hinders Agricultural Productivity
A significant breakthrough in agricultural productivity is underway in The Gambia, 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 toiled to cultivate their community garden, but their efforts have faced numerous challenges, primarily a severe water shortage.
Jammeh recalls the garden’s early days. “We even had to cut the trees because it was bushy,” she said. Protecting the garden from wildlife meant building makeshift fences with wood cut from the surrounding bush. Over time, the challenges evolved as water scarcity began to take its toll. Wells ran dry, and the equipment needed to extract water deteriorated.
For the roughly 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, the project introduced a new solar-powered water system featuring a well and pump that delivers water to 49 newly installed and renovated concrete reservoirs. Each tank has a 30,000-liter capacity, and buckets and watering cans were also provided to aid with distribution.
Jammeh has noticed a dramatic improvement since the new 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. “It has been transformative and has eased the constraints in my life.”
The project, titled “Cultivating Productivity and Resilience to Mitigate Food Insecurity in The Gambia,” emerged from a needs assessment conducted 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 construct ten new concrete reservoirs, renovate 39 others, and install a 30,000-liter water tank system powered by 12 solar power units.
Addressing Other Challenges
Despite the significant progress, challenges remain. Jallow, a representative for NARI, pointed out additional needs, including a storage facility for perishable crops like tomatoes. “Most vegetables are highly perishable. They need a place to store them until they can be sold,” Jallow said. Another priority is to acquire small power tillers to replace less efficient manual labor.
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 gives women like Jammeh the means to better support their families and communities. As the partnership continues, there is hope that further support will address the remaining challenges, leading to even greater improvements in the agricultural sector.
