Climate Action Gambia, The Project #71149

Climate-Smart Agriculture for Women Farmers (CSWF)

Project Report | Apr 15, 2026
Quarterly Project Report

By Sariba Saidy | Executive Director

1. Executive Summary

During the first quarter of 2026, the Climate-Smart Agriculture Project made significant progress in supporting women farmers across rural communities in The Gambia. The project aims to strengthen food security, increase women’s incomes, and build resilience against climate change through sustainable farming practices.

A total of 150 women farmers benefited from training, seeds distribution, and access to climate-smart farming tools. Activities focused on water conservation, organic composting, vegetable gardening, and drought-resistant crop production. Women participants reported improved farming knowledge and increased confidence in managing their farms despite changing weather patterns.

2. Objectives of the Project

Improve agricultural productivity for women farmers.
Promote climate-resilient farming techniques.
Increase household income through market gardening.
Strengthen women’s leadership in community agriculture.
Enhance food security and nutrition for rural families.

3. Activities Implemented During the Quartera) Training on Climate-Smart Agriculture

Conducted practical training sessions for women farmers on:

Soil conservation methods
Organic manure and compost making
Water harvesting techniques
Pest control using natural methods
Crop diversification

Beneficiaries: 150 women farmers

b) Distribution of Inputs

The project distributed:

Vegetable seeds (onion, tomato, okra, pepper)
Watering cans
Hoes and rakes
Organic fertilizer materials

c) Establishment of Demonstration Gardens

Three community demonstration gardens were established to showcase best climate-smart practices and serve as learning centers for women groups.

d) Awareness Sessions on Climate Change

Community sensitization meetings were held to educate farmers on the effects of climate change and adaptation strategies.

4. Key Achievements

150 women trained in climate-smart agriculture practices.
3 demonstration gardens established.
80% of participants started applying composting techniques.
Increased access to quality seeds and farming tools.
Women farmers reported better crop growth and early harvests.
Strengthened women’s participation in local farming decisions.

5. Challenges Encountered

Irregular rainfall patterns affected planting schedules.
Limited water access in some communities.
Rising cost of farming tools and transportation.
Need for fencing materials to protect gardens from animals.

6. Lessons Learned

Women farmers quickly adopt practical and low-cost climate solutions.
Community gardens encourage peer learning and teamwork.
Water management remains critical for agricultural success.
Early planning improves preparedness for climate shocks.

7. Recommendations

Expand irrigation support systems.
Provide more drought-resistant seeds.
Increase market access opportunities for women farmers.
Scale up training to additional communities.
Strengthen partnerships with agricultural extension services.

8. Conclusion

The first quarter of implementation has shown positive progress in empowering women farmers through climate-smart agriculture in The Gambia. Women beneficiaries are gaining skills, improving production, and contributing to household food security. Continued investment in climate resilience and women-led agriculture will create lasting social and economic impact.

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Dec 18, 2025
Quterly Project Report

By Sariba Saidy | Executive Director

Executive Summary

The Climate-Smart Agriculture for Women Farmers (CSWF) project was implemented to strengthen the resilience, productivity, and livelihoods of women farmers through the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Following the successful implementation phase, this report presents the outcomes, achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and sustainability measures of the project.

The project reached women farmers with practical skills, improved access to climate-resilient inputs, and enhanced knowledge on sustainable farming, resulting in increased crop yields, improved household food security, and greater women’s participation in climate-resilient agriculture.

Project Background and Rationale

Women farmers play a critical role in food production but are disproportionately affected by climate change due to limited access to land, finance, technology, and extension services. Increasing climate variability—such as droughts, floods, and soil degradation—has threatened agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

The CSWF project was designed to address these challenges by empowering women farmers with climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices that improve productivity, build resilience to climate shocks, and reduce environmental impact.

Project Objectives

Overall Objective

To enhance the resilience, productivity, and socio-economic empowerment of women farmers through climate-smart agriculture.

Specific Objectives

To build the capacity of women farmers on climate-smart agricultural practices

To promote the adoption of climate-resilient crops and sustainable farming techniques

To improve soil health, water management, and biodiversity

To increase household food security and income for women farmers

To strengthen women’s leadership and participation in climate action

Project Implementation Summary

The project was implemented through a participatory and inclusive approach, ensuring active involvement of women farmers at all stages.

Key Activities Implemented

Training and capacity-building workshops on climate-smart agriculture

Demonstration plots for practical learning

Distribution of climate-resilient seeds and farming inputs

Training on composting, mulching, crop diversification, and water conservation

Awareness sessions on climate change adaptation and mitigation

Formation and strengthening of women farmer groups.

Beneficiaries

Primary beneficiaries: Women smallholder farmers

Secondary beneficiaries: Households, community members, and local farmer groups

The project directly benefited women farmers, with indirect benefits to families and communities through improved food availability and income stability.

Key Achievements and Results

a) Capacity Building

Women farmers gained practical knowledge and skills in climate-smart agriculture

Increased awareness of climate risks and adaptive farming strategies

b) Adoption of Climate-Smart Practices

Improved use of drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties

Increased application of organic manure, mulching, and crop rotation

Better water-use efficiency and soil conservation practices

c) Agricultural Productivity and Food Security

Improved crop yields compared to baseline levels

Enhanced household food security and dietary diversity

d) Women’s Empowerment

Strengthened leadership and decision-making roles of women in farming activities

Improved confidence and participation in community-level agricultural planning.

Challenges Encountered

Limited access to finance for scaling up climate-smart practices

Climate extremes affecting some farming seasons

Initial resistance to adopting new farming methods

Time constraints for women balancing household and farming responsibilities.

Lessons Learned

Practical demonstrations increase adoption of climate-smart practices

Peer learning among women farmers is highly effective

Continuous extension support is critical for sustained behavior change

Gender-responsive approaches enhance project impact and ownership.

9. Sustainability Measures

To ensure long-term impact, the project adopted the following sustainability strategies:

Strengthening women farmer groups and cooperatives

Promoting locally available and low-cost climate-smart practices

Encouraging knowledge sharing within communities

Linking women farmers to extension services and local markets

10. Conclusion

The Climate-Smart Agriculture for Women Farmers (CSWF) project has demonstrated that empowering women farmers with climate-smart knowledge and tools significantly improves resilience, productivity, and livelihoods. The post-implementation outcomes highlight the importance of gender-responsive, community-driven approaches in addressing climate change and food security.

The project provides a strong foundation for scaling up climate-smart agriculture initiatives and replicating the model in other communities.

Recommendations

Scale up the CSWF model to reach more women farmers

Improve access to finance and climate-resilient inputs

Strengthen partnerships with government and extension services

Integrate climate-smart agriculture into local development plans.

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