The Gambia implements solar irrigation to boost rice production

The Regional Rice Value Chain Development Project (RRVCD) is implementing solar-powered irrigation systems in The Gambia to enable year-round rice production and enhance national food security. The initiative aims to reduce the country's heavy reliance on imported rice, which currently accounts for approximately 85 percent of domestic consumption.

During a site inspection in the Central River Region, President Adama Barrow emphasized that food security is a vital component of national security. He noted that the disruptions to global supply chains experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the vulnerability of depending on imports. The government plans to develop 11 similar sites across the country.

At the inspected site in Waassu, contractors are developing 50-hectare plots using solar panels to power water pumps, replacing traditional diesel-powered systems. The project aims to increase rice yields from the traditional 1 to 1.5 tonnes per hectare. The current contract is scheduled to run until March 2027, though progress on canals and infrastructure may allow for an earlier handover.