By: Haruna Kuyateh
The National Beekeepers Association of The Gambia (NBAG), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sunday embarked on tree planting exercise in Jokadou, North Bank Region.
The exercise which was a major initiative to restore and strengthen the Chissey Majaw Community Forest combined tree planting with awareness-raising on the importance of forests and beekeeping practices.
Saika Manga, Manager of NBAG, highlighted the significance of tree planting in establishing healthy beehives. He explained that NBAG has already installed a borehole and solar-powered watering system, fenced the forest with chain-link wire, and enriched it with indigenous nectar-rich plant species. Manga also emphasized the importance of the new solar-powered honey processing facilities, including honey extractors, wax melting machines, strainers, bottling, and labeling units.
Jero Manneh, NBAG Team Leader, says the partnership with UNDP through the Low Value Grant (LVG) Agreement seeks to catalyze growth in renewable energy sectors, particularly for women- and youth-led micro-enterprises. The five-month project, running from May to September 2025 with a budget of $35,000, covers Chissey Majaw and Bakindick of Lower Nuimi, and builds on the momentum of the initiative’s first phase. The project also contributes to the National Determined Contribution (NDC) Partnership, focusing on scale, ambition, and inclusivity.
Planted tree species included mahogany, gmelina, orange, and rhum palm, with careful attention to site selection and spacing to ensure survival.
Lamin Jallow, Administrative Circle Head of Lower and Upper Nuimi, praised NBAG’s efforts, noting that the borehole and honey-processing infrastructure will empower the community to develop tree nurseries, supply seedlings to other areas, and generate income.
Community leaders Fatou Touray and Majaw Sisay pledged to protect the planted trees and promote the regeneration of extinct species. They expressed gratitude to NBAG for the borehole, which will ensure adequate watering during the dry season and support the establishment of a sustainable tree nursery.
The initiative underscores the importance of community-led forestry and climate resilience efforts, while promoting sustainable beekeeping as a tool for economic growth and environmental restoration.
Meanwhile, the project is part of the UNDP Climate Promise Initiative, an outcome of the 2019 UN Secretary General Climate Action Summit and reinforced at COP27 under the “From Pledge to Impact” program.
The initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the UNDP Country Program Document (CPD), which aim to ensure that women, children, youth, displaced people, and persons with disabilities are resilient to climate-related shocks by 2028, with access to sustainable food, health systems, education, and social protection.
