Food Security & Livelihoods

Young people in Sangajorr, Foni Kansala District, are turning to agriculture in a bid to tackle unemployment and reduce irregular migration.

With limited job opportunities pushing many Gambians to risk the perilous “backway” journey to Europe, the community has launched a large‑scale vegetable gardening project expected to employ at least 90 youths. The site, measuring 187 metres by 154 metres, is nearing completion with irrigation systems in place and seedlings ready.

Sankung, Sponsorship and Programme Coordinator of the Foni Ding Ding Federation, said the initiative was backed by ChildFund after seeing the youths’ commitment.

“This initiative is one way of keeping the young people living on our soils… because of limited job opportunities, limited engagement avenues, among others. So, this garden is one way of empowering them so that they can become economically vibrant, economically resilient, so that they can stay put and become meaningful people in society,” he said.

Over 90 youths have already received training in marketing, compost making, and seed propagation. Mr Colley added: “We [are] hoping by the grace of God, come a month or so, work will kickstart, and water will flow… young people will be trained on modern vegetable production techniques, local manure production… and linked directly to viable markets.

Youth Coordinator Lamin said the project aims to change the narrative in Foni. “We created this garden to create employment opportunities for our young people as they will earn a decent living from the sale of their produce and the idea of embarking on the irregular route… the garden will create self‑employment for them,” he said.

As preparations near completion, the Sangajorr youth project stands as a community‑led response to two of The Gambia’s most pressing challenges: unemployment and irregular migration by cultivating opportunity at home.