Land Nature Communications, Fajara M Section (2026)

06/05/2026

🟢CLIMATE FINANCE: CAN THE GAMBIA FUND ITS FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE?

Climate change is no longer just an environmental concern for The Gambia it is rapidly emerging as one of the country’s most pressing financial and economic challenges.

At the Launching of the report, The Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow made a powerful statement: Climate Change is already shaping the country’s economic future, and the cost of inaction is simply too high. But beyond the urgency of the crisis lies a more critical question how will The Gambia finance its response?

Despite contributing less than 0.01% of global greenhouse gas emissions, The Gambia is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world.

Today, more than 60% of the population lives in coastal and urban areas exposed to high climate risks. Flooding alone is already costing the country up to 3.8% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) every year.

If current trends continue, the outlook becomes even more concerning. Experts warn that climate-related disasters could reduce The Gambia’s GDP by 9.3% by 2050 threatening livelihoods, increasing poverty, and placing immense pressure on key sectors like agriculture, which supports nearly 70% of the population.

🟢 FROM CLIMATE CRISIS TO FINANCING CHALLENGE

What is becoming increasingly clear is that climate change is not only an environmental issue it is a financing challenge. Building resilience requires significant, sustained, and well-structured investment.

According to the report, The Gambia will need nearly $8 billion in climate finance by 2050 to protect its development gains and strengthen national resilience. This includes investments in coastal protection, climate-smart agriculture, resilient infrastructure, and heat adaptation measures.

But this funding requirement presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

🟢 THE ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Finance Minister Seedy Keita acknowledged that the government cannot meet these financing needs alone. Approximately 35% of the required funding is expected to come from the private sector.

However, a major gap remains. Currently, only 15% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in The Gambia have access to formal financing. This limits the ability of local businesses and innovators to invest in climate solutions and green growth opportunities.

Bridging this gap will require targeted reforms—making climate projects more bankable, expanding access to finance, and creating incentives that attract private investment into green sectors.

🌳 WHY CLIMATE FINANCE MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER

As World Bank Country Rep Franklin Mutahakaba emphasized, addressing environmental risks is not a parallel agenda it is central to sustainable development.

Early investments in resilience especially in coastal protection and heat adaptation can deliver some of the highest long-term economic returns. Simply put, investing now will cost far less than rebuilding later.

🌱 TURNING INVESTMENT INTO IMPACT

Climate finance, if properly mobilized, has the potential to transform The Gambia’s economy. It can create jobs, strengthen agriculture, protect vulnerable communities, and position the country as a leader in climate-smart development.

At the same time, it can safeguard critical areas like Banjul, which Environment Minister Rohey John Manjang described as a matter of national heritage and survival in the face of rising sea levels.

🟢 A DEFINING MOMENT FOR THE GAMBIA

The Gambia now faces a critical choice: continue on a business-as-usual path and risk significant economic losses, or take bold steps to mobilize climate finance and build a resilient future.

🌳The Challenge is Significant but so is the Opportunity......

The future of The Gambia will depend not only on how it responds to climate change, but on how effectively it finances that response.

📢
🟢 The question is no longer whether climate finance is needed but how fast it can be mobilized.

03/05/2026

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2026

“Voices for the Planet, Freedom for the People”
✊ Why It Matters

On this World Press Freedom Day, we celebrate the power of free press, independent, and responsible media in shaping environmental journalism and strategic communication play a critical role in:

🌳 Raising awareness on climate change and environmental degradation

🌳 Amplifying community voices and indigenous knowledge

🌳 Promoting transparency and accountability in natural resource management

🌳 Driving policy change and sustainable development

29/04/2026

Food Safety and Quality Authority Strategic Plan 2026–2030 Officially Launched 🇬🇲

The launch of the FSQA Strategic Plan 2026–2030 is not just about policies or institutions it’s about people. It’s about the child who deserves a safe meal at school, the mother preparing food for her family, the vendor in the market, and the entrepreneur working hard to build a trusted food business.

His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of the Gambia Mr Muhammed BS Jallow captured that, this vision clearly: The Gambia may be small, but it can build a food safety system that protects everyone and creates real opportunities for growth. A system where people trust what they eat, and businesses can thrive fairly.

The Director of the Food Safety and Quality Authority Mr Momodou Bah ,shared a practical and honest commitment this work goes beyond plans on paper.

It is about strengthening regulations, improving inspections, and building the capacity needed to make sure food safety standards are followed every day, across the entire food chain. From farms to markets to our tables, the focus is on real implementation that people can feel and trust.

Dr. Amadou Sowe, Chair of the FSQA Board, described the moment as one of pride and collective effort. This strategy, shaped through consultation, shows that building a strong food safety system is everyone’s responsibility and a key driver for economic growth and national development.

Support from partners like the European Union, through programmes such as the SPRING Programme and the Twinning Project, continues to play an important role in strengthening systems, supporting farmers, and helping businesses meet standards that open doors to bigger markets.

At the heart of it all, this plan is about trust. Trust in the food we eat. Trust in the systems that protect us. And trust in a future where The Gambia continues to grow stronger.

This is a shared journey and it starts now.
🍽️🇬🇲
Some photos credit Tee Trend Media ...

14/04/2026

🌳☘️ BIG BOOST FOR GAMBIA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR!

The European Union today officially launched the SPRING Programme Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations a major initiative aimed at transforming The Gambia’s agri-food and horticulture sector.

Launched at the SDKJ Conference Centre, the programme is expected to strengthen food security, climate resilience, sustainable farming, and market access, while creating new opportunities for young people and women across the agricultural value chain.

The initiative will support farmers and agribusinesses to improve productivity, meet international standards, and unlock new market opportunities for Gambian produce.

Senior government officials, development partners, private sector actors, and key stakeholders attended the launch, with three State Ministers reaffirming government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and private sector participation.

This marks a significant step towards building a stronger, more resilient, and inclusive agricultural future for The Gambia. 🇬🇲🌿

08/04/2026

End GBV Protect Women Farmers....🌿🌿☘️☘️🌳🌳

As The Gambia hosts the SWEDD+ First Ladies Forum on Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence, this is a crucial moment to talk about an issue that often remains hidden the link between gender-based violence and women in agriculture.

Across our rural communities, women are the heartbeat of food production. They rise before dawn to work in rice fields, tend vegetable gardens, process produce, and travel to weekly markets to support their families and communities.

Their labour sustains households, strengthens livelihoods, and contributes significantly to national food security.

But behind this hard work is a painful reality.

Many women in agriculture continue to face domestic violence, emotional abuse, economic control, land insecurity, and sexual harassment.

Some work tirelessly on land they do not own. Others have little or no say over the income generated from the crops they help produce.

In many homes, women carry the double burden of farm work and unpaid domestic care, while still being denied decision-making power.
For women in rural areas, the struggle is even deeper.

Limited access to justice, long distances to police stations and health facilities, lack of legal support, and fear of stigma often force survivors to remain silent.

Gender-based violence is not only a human rights issue it is also a food security and development issue.

When women farmers are unsafe, unsupported, or denied their rights, agricultural productivity suffers.

Families become more vulnerable, communities weaken, and national efforts toward poverty reduction and sustainable development are affected.

This is why the fight against GBV must go beyond awareness campaigns and include practical support for women farmers:

✅ Safe access to land
✅ Legal protection and rural justice services
✅ Psychosocial support for survivors
✅ Equal access to credit and farm inputs
✅ Stronger voices in farmer organisations and community leadership

Protecting women in agriculture means protecting the future of our communities.

The women who feed the nation deserve safety, dignity, and equal opportunity.

💚 Let us stand with rural women.
🌱 Let us protect women farmers.
⚖️ Let us end gender-based violence.

20/01/2026

Historic Milestone for Ocean Governance and The Gambia is Part of The Journey! 🌊🇬🇲

This month, the BBNJ Agreement or the enters into force, marking one of the most significant environmental agreements of our lifetime.

The Treaty opens the door to protecting nearly half our planet with new tools to establish marine protected areas and ensure that the benefits of the high seas are shared equitably, especially with developing countries and small island states.

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty, has officially entered into force marking a major step in protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national borders, which cover nearly two-thirds of the world’s ocean.

For The Gambia, this achievement reflects years of national consultations, negotiations, and advocacy, led by key institutions including

The National Environment Agency (NEA), with strong participation from civil society organisations coordinated through the Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (TANGO).

Despite challenges such as limited technical capacity, financing constraints, and the need to align national legislation with international ocean governance frameworks, stakeholders remained committed to ensuring the country’s voice was heard.

In close collaboration with UN agencies, notably UNESCO-IOC, UNEP, FAO, and other development partners, The Gambia strengthened its engagement through policy dialogue, technical support, data sharing, and capacity building.

Ocean science continues to underpin this effort, supported by global systems such as GOOS and OBIS, alongside training platforms like the OceanTeacher Global Academy.
Now, the real work begins.

Within one year, the first Conference of the Parties (COP) will outline the course of action for implementation.

For The Gambia, priorities include: 🔹 Strengthening institutional coordination led by NEA

🔹 Enhancing marine research, data, and monitoring

🔹 Empowering civil society through TANGO and member NGOs

🔹 Deepening partnerships with UN agencies and regional bodies

The BBNJ Treaty presents a critical opportunity to ensure inclusive, science-driven ocean governance.

With government institutions, civil society, and international partners working together, The Gambia is well-positioned to translate this global commitment into meaningful action for coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and future generations.

08/01/2026

Forestry Department Launches Historic 30 Million Gmelina Seedlings Campaign 🌱

The Department of Forestry has launched a 10-day nationwide tour to roll out an ambitious 30 million Gmelina seedlings awareness and planting campaign, marking a major milestone in forest restoration efforts in The Gambia.

The campaign, which kicked off at Kafuta Forest Station, will see Gmelina seeds directly sown in nursery beds across all regional forestry offices, with each region raising 5 million seedlings for onward transplanting nationwide.

This is the first initiative of its kind in the history of the Department, made possible under the current leadership of the Director of Forestry Lt Colonel Salifu Corr.

Speaking during the launching, The Regional Forestry Officer for West Coast Region, Sisawo Sabally, commended the Director of Forestry for his visionary leadership, stressing that restoring forest cover must be a national priority for the benefit of future generations..

The Director of Forestry, Lt. Colonel Salifu Corr, emphasized that the initiative aims to reverse forest loss, strengthen climate resilience, and create sustainable economic opportunities.

He highlighted Gmelina as a fast-growing timber species that can reduce reliance on imported timber and curb cross-border timber sourcing.

“This is a national call to action,” he said, urging forestry staff, communities, and partners to take ownership of forest restoration efforts.

🌍 This large-scale, community-driven initiative presents a strong opportunity for collaboration with development partners, climate funds, and organizations such as FAO, IFAD, UNDP, and Environmental NGOs to support climate action, sustainable livelihoods, and ecosystem restoration.

🌳 Together, we can restore our forests, protect our environment, and secure a greener future for generations to come.

22/12/2025

🇬🇲 President Barrow Launches The Gambia’s First National Land Policy

A historic milestone for The Gambia as President Adama Barrow launches the country’s first-ever National Land Policy (2026–2035) a landmark framework designed to transform land governance, strengthen security of tenure, and ensure fairness for all citizens.

President Barrow described the policy as “a central pillar of the government’s reform agenda,” aligned with the YIRIWA National Development Plan (2023–2027).

The new policy will:
🟢 Recognised legitimate landownership
🟢 Promote sustainable land use
🟢Reduce land-related conflicts
🟢 Advance gender equality in land access
🟢Empower youth through land-sector skills and opportunities.

Key Gains Under the Barrow Administration:

🌴Stronger and more unified land governance
☘️Improved transparency and digital land services.
☘️ Protection of women’s land rights
👥 Youth empowerment and capacity-building
🌲 Better conflict-resolution mechanisms
🌾 Sustainable land-use practices
🏡 More secure land tenure for families and communities

This landmark policy marks a new era of transparency, fairness, and sustainable land management for the future of The Gambia.

17/12/2025

GAMBIA GOV’T COMMITTED TO REDUCING RELIANCE ON IMPORTED FOODS

The Government of The Gambia has reaffirmed its strong commitment to boosting local food production and strengthening national food security.

Speaking at the regional meeting on Strengthening Resilience to Food & Nutrition Insecurity in the Sahel, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, Dr Demba Sabally, indicated the country’s progress under the leadership of President Adama Barrow.

The Minister said that agriculture is no longer a sector of the past, but a modern and dignified pathway for wealth creation, especially for youth. He noted significant achievements driven by the P2 PRSP Project and ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Agriculture.

🟢 Key Achievements Highlighted.

🟢 Free certified seeds, fertiliser, and ploughing services provided to farmers nationwide removing major financial barriers for smallholders.

🟢A bumper harvest was recorded this farming season, signalling the success of government inputs and farmer support programmes.

🟢 Strengthening smallholder farmer resilience through targeted interventions under the P2 PRSP Project.

🟢Investments in climate-smart agriculture and improved agricultural systems to reduce vulnerability to shocks.

🟢 Focus on youth and women's empowerment in agriculture as a driver of rural development and prosperity.

🌳A Turning Point for the Sahel

Minister Sabally told delegates that despite challenges such as land degradation, youth unemployment, and heavy food import bills, the Sahel holds immense potential for transformation.

“Africa is blessed with abundant natural resources, resilient communities, and a dynamic youthful population whose energy can transform our agricultural systems,” he said.

He further stressed that regional unity and shared commitment are vital to achieving food security, resilience, and sustainable growth.

The Gambia is moving toward a future where communities are food-secure, farmers are empowered, and the nation relies more on local production than imports.

13/12/2025

Protecting Our Forests: A United Clean-Up Effort in Brikama Nyambi Forest

The Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM), in partnership with the National Environment Agency (NEA), Gambia Environmental Alliance, Brikama Area Council, and security forces including the Gambia Prison Service, The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), and the Forestry Department, led a major collaborative clean-up exercise in the Brikama Nyambai Forest and Kabafita Forest.

More than 100 committed volunteers came together to restore these important forest ecosystems, which have increasingly been threatened by illegal dumping and poor waste disposal practices.

The exercise not only cleared waste but also sent a strong message about shared responsibility in protecting The Gambia’s natural heritage.

Clean-up activities like this are crucial in The Gambia, where forests play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, soil protection, and community livelihoods.

When waste is dumped illegally in forest areas, it destroys habitats, pollutes soil and water sources, and increases the risk of fire and disease. Regular clean-up exercises help to restore ecological balance, protect wildlife, and create healthier environments for nearby communities.

Beyond the environmental benefits, this initiative demonstrates the power of partnership, civic responsibility, and community action.

Protecting our forests is not the duty of institutions alone it requires the active involvement of citizens, local authorities, and security services working hand in hand.

As a nation, we must strengthen responsible waste management practices, respect protected areas, and continue collective actions to safeguard our forests. Our forests are life support systems protecting them today means securing a healthier, more resilient Gambia for future generations.

Photos Source GEA

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Land Nature Communications

06/05/2026

03/05/2026

29/04/2026

14/04/2026

08/04/2026

20/01/2026

08/01/2026

22/12/2025

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