Intensive crop growing project in
The Gambia.
Langleyian@yahoo.com
In conjunction with Gambia Tourist Support, we have been conducting a feasibility study on the possibility of modifying the way vegetables are currently being grown in The Gambia with the aim of drastically reducing the amount of water use for any given crop.
During the last two weeks of March 2008 we began initial field trials at GTS Koloi in The Gambia with extremely positive results. We were mainly looking into growing potatoes in barrels. Initial results indicate that by planting seven potatoes in a barrel, the amount of water that will need to be pulled up from a well and carried to the crops will be reduced from about seventy litres (weighing seventy kg) to only two litres (two kg) per day.
Crops in The Gambia are grown in small squares that can be walked round and watered with a bucket.
For the average Gambian family potatoes are relatively expensive vegetables to buy at the market, and because of the amount of water needed per day a very labour intensive vegetable to grow. As a barrel takes up only a small amount of room, we foresee that three barrels planted in a compound each giving three crops a year of at least twenty kg peer crop, would give an annual harvest of about 180 kg.
At today’s prices of D26kilo the value would be D4680. Which is the equivalent of THREE MONTHS wages for an average worker. My personal view is that many of the potatoes will be grown to sell, as they will be to valuable to merely eat them. For us to achieve these results extensive trials in The Gambia will be started in November 2009 lasting until April 2010.
Youtube.
We have made a twenty-minute video showing the start of the project in The Gambia and have put it onto Youtube.
Clips from the video.
It had to be been divided into two parts, as the maximum length for Youtube is ten minuets. To go directly to the video just click on, or copy and paste the links below.
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PART ONE: -
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ruLa_gC6H4g
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PART TWO:-
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J24PPk1Mygg
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