By Fatou Krubally
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has supported the Bakau Women’s Garden with a donation to install an irrigation system aimed at improving farming conditions and enhancing resilience against climate change.
The coastal town’s women farmers, who rely on the garden for income and food, have long faced challenges due to erratic rainfall and manual watering. The new system is expected to ease the physical burden on the women while ensuring a more reliable water supply and increased productivity.
Speaking at the donation presentation, IMF Deputy Director General Bo Li said the Fund is committed to supporting economic growth while addressing climate-related challenges affecting vulnerable communities.
“We support countries’ economic growth in ways that benefit many people, and we are also deeply concerned about climate change,” Bo Li said. He added that small-scale farmers, particularly women, are among the most affected, making targeted support essential.
The IMF emphasized the role of women in agriculture and economic development, highlighting the importance of gender inclusion in its programmes and internal leadership. The intervention also aims to encourage youth participation in farming by improving working conditions and demonstrating the viability of agriculture as a livelihood.
As part of the visit, a symbolic tree was planted at the garden to mark the partnership between The Gambia and the IMF.
Sally Kaba, president of the Bakau Women’s Garden, expressed gratitude for the support, describing it as timely and impactful. She thanked the IMF and the women gardeners and called for further partnerships to develop the garden.
The initiative comes at a critical time as farmers across The Gambia seek practical solutions to climate-related challenges. Support such as this is expected to improve daily farming operations and long-term productivity.
