GiG connection

Horticulture education program for the Kuntaur region

April 2010Remko Strikremko.strik@ordina.nl

In December 2009, in the Kuntaur region five communities were visited by Tiasnimbas Parttime MBA group 6. During these visits a special focus was given to the community gardens. In these gardens vegetables were grown. These vegetables are used for own consumption. Overproduction is sold to the local market. Minimal requirements for gardens are a well and a fence. The fence is needed to protect to garden for animals such as goats during the dry season.

The visit of the Tiasnimbas students had the goal to contribute in a sustainable way to the Kuntaur region. After spending three days in the Kuntaur region, the Tiasnimbas group made a short list of contributions which could be made.

A selected project was a trainings program for the five communities. With more and better training, the communities could increase productivity in their community gardens.

Introduction

Goal of the projectTrain 5 communities from the Kuntaur region on the cultivation of vegetables. By training the workers, vegetable production in the communities can be increased which would benefit their food consumption. The sales of the overproduction can generate an additional income.

FormatThe growers will be trained by Gambia is Good (GiG). GiG is a Gambian organisation who trains growers in the cultivation of vegetables.5 farms are given the opportunity to select 2 employees who can enter the trainings program:• 3 trainings of 2 days in the trainings facility of GiG• 2 trainings of 2 days at the farms

Total project investment110.378 dalasi (± 3.154 euro).

Project overview

Communities Communities

Trainings facility

Trainings facility

Country overview

GiG is located at the coastal region and trains growers at their trainings facility to improve their growing skills. The trainers are aware of the possibilities and difficulties of the growers in Gambia. This ensures that the knowledge which is transmitted is relevant for the trainees.

GiG training facility

The vegetable gardens are located in the Kuntaur region. Each community has her own garden. The vegetables are grown for their own consumption. Over production is sold on the local market.

Community farms

On the 22nd of February, the first training took place. This was held on the trainings location of GiG in the coastal area. Each village send two ladies; one older and one younger lady. This combination was made on purpose. The younger ladies have ambition and are very enthusiastic and motivated. The older ladies ensure that the knowledge from the training is shared within their community. All trainees were very enthusiastic and thankful for the opportunity that they could join this training.

First training

Participants & trainersNO. NAME COMMUNITY MAIN CROPS GROWN

1. Mama Danso Wassu Onion / cabbage / lettuce

2. Hawa Camara Wassu Bitter tomato / Hot pepper

3. Niomi Commo Tuba kuta Onion / Hot pepper

4. Kumba Camara Tuba kuta Tomatoes / Onion

5. Binkinding Jabbi Jakaba

6. Matida Jaiteh Jakaba Okra / Bitter tomatoes

7. Fatoumata Jawara Sukuta Tomatoes / Onions

8. Mariama Ceesay Sukuta Lettuce / Onions

9. Mariama Sanneh Tuba koto Okra / Bitter tomatoes

10. Sira Danso Tuba koto Tomatoes / Hot pepper

NO. NAME POSITION

1. Samuel Demba Horticultural Extensionist – GIG

2. Lamin Bojang Technical staff – GIG farm

3. Musa Jallow Technical staff – GIG farm

4. Kelly Taboure GIG farm Manager

Curriculum day 1TIME ACTIVITIES / TOPICS By whom Remarks

8.30 – 9.00am Breakfast Cooks

9.00 – 9.15am Welcome / objectives of first training program

Kelly / Sam

9.15 – 10.45am Farm visit Lamin / Kelly GIG rationaleSee different horticultural

ventures

10.45 – 11.15am Coffee break Cooks

11.15 – 12.15 Nursery management- group 1 Lamin Including sowing practical

Soil preparation- group 2 Sam Including practical

12.15 - 13.15 Nursery management – group 1 Lamin

Soil preparation – group 2 Sam

13.15 – 14.15 Lunch and prayers Cooks

14.15 – 15.00 Crop choice / production planning Kelly / Sam Subsistence versus commercial garden

15.00 – 15.30 Organic versus conventional Kelly / Sam

15.30 – 16.30 Compost making – group 1 Musa

Application of fertilizer – group 2 Lamin

First training

Sowing white radish in organic garden

First training

Observing differences in organic onions with different applications of bio-char

Curriculum day 2TIME ACTIVITIES / TOPICS By whom Remarks

8.30 – 9.00am Breakfast Cooks

9.00 – 9.30am Summary of day 1: learning points Sam / Kelly

9.30 – 10.30am Compost making – group 2 Musa

Application of fertilizer – group 1 Lamin

10.30 – 10.45am Seeds – hybrid against open varieties Sam / Lamin

10.45 – 11.15 Coffee break Cooks

11.15 - 12.15 The importance of trees in your garden – group 1 Sam / Cherno

Mulching, biochar and organic fertilizers – group 2 Kelly / Bakary

12.15 – 13.15 The importance of trees in your garden – group 2 Sam / Cherno

Mulching, biochar and organic fertilizers – group 1 Kelly / Bakary

13.15 – 14.15 Lunch and prayers Cooks

14.15 – 15.15 Community garden layout Kelly / Sam 5 communities to work in separate groups

15.15 – 15.30 Presentation of group work All

15.30 – 16.00 Tomatoes – group 1 Sam Handout prepared

Cabbages – group 2 Lamin Handout prepared

16.00 – 16.30 Tomatoes – group 2 Sam

Cabbages – group 1 Lamin

First training

Bio char making

Soil preparation and fertilizer application prior to cabbage planting in main field

• The training was a very practical one which enabled the women to experience the different level of horticultural production as demonstrated at the GIG farm yard. The focus was on the organic and local way of production as we are not trying to promote the use of chemical inputs. The participants all seems to have a good basic understanding of proper organic techniques – sharing ideas of natural pest control measures and different ways of compost making.

• Every village was given some bitter tomato seeds, tomatoes and eggplant for trial planting at their community. Also handouts on the production of tomatoes and cabbages have been provided in a file for each community. More documents will be made available during follow up trainings.

• It was felt that a good foundation was laid and next training could be more detailed and focussed. Though the women were tired from the far travel they were very cooperative and worked hard in their practical and give a good traditional closing ceremony with typical Mandinka dance!

First training conclusion

The second training was held in the Kuntaur region at the community garden on 5th and 6th of April.During the two days training, the representative of GIG, Bintou Jaiteh, visited Kuntaur. In the two days all the five communitygardens are visited.It was very useful for Bintou to visit the farms. In this way she could see with her own eyes the situation of the farms. The situations per farm differ. In size, possibilities and quality level. Bintou gave a lot of advice and tips to the women. By receiving these tips in their own garden has a positive impact on the learning experience. Here advice was quite necessary and more than welcome. Bintou also got in contact with the local personnel of the Ministry of Agriculture. Also this training (on the job) was very useful and the trainees would like to express again their thanks for giving them the opportunity of this learning experience.

Second training