Kapenda Ngonga

Improving Natural Resources Management and Sustainable Agriculture by Promoting Conservation Farming and Agro-Forestry in The Gambia

Sustainable agriculture is one way of conserving our environment for our future generation. Agricultural practices that contribute to the destruction of the environment must be discouraged. Farmers need to be encouraged to start using modern farming agricultural techniques and practices that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. It is for this reason why this project is important. It will make small-scale farmers be aware of the benefits of using sustainable agricultural practices and contribute their quota to conserving nature. Agro-forestry and conservation farming practices will be promoted through this project. Farmers’ knowledge and skills will be increased in the area of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity for increased production and productivity while maintaining the natural resource base of the agro-ecosystem. Farmers will be trained on the best-bet conservation farming and agro-forestry practices for sustainable agricultural production.

Conservation farming has been applied to farming practices that strive to maintain a balance between production and the conservation of agricultural resources. Conservation farming aims to maintain and restore functioning ecosystems on farms, while at the same time sustaining high levels of agricultural production. Conservation farming provides many benefits, such as a diverse diet for livestock, shelter for livestock (particularly during lambing season), firewood, honey, and horticultural and medicinal plants. As interest in the environment grows, ecotourism can be promoted to supplement farmers’ income in some parts of the country. Birding and flower tours can be particularly popular and all rely on well-managed natural ecosystems.

Agro-forestry is a farming system that integrates crops and/or livestock with trees and shrubs. The resulting biological interactions provide multiple benefits, including diversified income sources, increased biological production, better water quality, and improved habitat for both humans and wildlife. Farmers adopt agro-forestry practices for two reasons. They want to increase their economic stability and they want to improve the management of natural resources under their care.

The project targets village communities in 6 regions of The Gambia, 2 villages in the North bank, 2 villages in the Lower River Region, 2 villages in Western Region, 2 villages in Upper River Region and 2 villages in Central River Region benefiting 1800 participants across 12 villages.

For more information contact kappual@yahoo.com