The Opportunity
Sustainable Gambia has begun working with the community of Arangalain, a village located at 65 kms from the capital city of Banjul. The Village council has donated a fertile land of about 15,000 square meters to Sustainable Gambia to establish this project.
This land will be the anchor of socio-economic programs that will enable the Arangalain community to become self-sufficient. The programs roadmap for the next two years encompasses subsistence-based farming, value-added agriculture with micro food-processing facilities, cooperative setup through supply chain, marketing & sales support; and vocational training for youths and adult, among other needs.
This first project aims at setting up the Minimum Viable Infrastructure (MVI) necessary to start the subsistence-based farming, support the establishment of the community cooperative, as well as the provision of the first vocational training agricultural program to train new farmers in the community.
For the 2020 growing season, Sustainable Gambia is working with the Arangalain community to grow staple crops such as corn & peanuts. A local football team (soccer, for Americans) was hired to till & plant the field, and local workers are cultivating & tending to the crops & preparing for harvest.
In addition to growing field crops, Sustainable Gambia is working with the commuity to prepare infrastructure & equipment to care for small scale livestock, including goats & sheep. The team is also preparing a section of the property for perennial fruit trees, such as mango.
There is an extreme contrast between the rainy & dry seasons in the Gambia, as the country receives abundant rain in the summer months and no rain at all in the winter. Given these conditions, water infrastructure is absolutely essential for growing fruit trees. The Sustainable Gambia team has drilled wells & built a water tower to support irrigation.
Project & Process
Identify an Opportunity
Like many villages of the Gambia, the village of Arangalain possesses fertile land, a strong community, and good connections to potential markets.
However, the villages lack the infrastructure and equipment necessary to maintain crops and other agriculture during the long dry season.
We work with our local contacts to identify villages that are in position to utilize new infrastructure and grow into more productive, self-sufficient communities.
Develop a Master Plan
We are actively working with community leaders in Arangalain to develop a vision and detailed, step by step plan to build & utilize new infrastructure.
Incorporate a Range of Income Sources
The Arangalain master plan includes diversified activities including food processing, tourism, & other business ventures.
Construction & Water Infrastructure
Local contractors have begun construction of the first components of the master plan, from the ground up. Working with local contractors keeps funds within the local economy, and helps the Arangalain community to establish and strengthen relationships
As the Gambia receives abundant rain during the summer months, but little or no rain during the dry season, water infrastructure is vital so sustain agriculture year -round.
Working with Seasonal Cycles
Each phase of development has its season. In the Gambia, the dry season is the best time to build.
The Sustainable Gambia board worked with with contractors in Arangalain through the winter of 2019-2020 to complete the first phase of construction of buildings & water infrastructure, thus preparing Sustainable Gambia to grow & flourish during the coming rainy season.
A Worldwide Community
Sustainable Gambia aims to be a meeting point where relationships between locals in Arangalain & guest from around the world will grow & flourish.
We hope that the Arangalain community farm project will be successful & will inspire neighboring communities, as well as visitors from around the world, to build support for the next project & help more communities in the Gambia attain self sufficiency & independence.