By Sirrah Touray
The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has opened a circular agriculture facility to strengthen local food security, cut post‑harvest losses and create jobs for women across the municipality.
Mayor Talib Ahmad Bensuda, who led a site inspection this week, said the project ensures households eat food grown in The Gambia while recycling waste into inputs that sustain production.
“This is about feeding the nation and feeding households. This is not imported food… It’s food grown in The Gambia,” Mayor Bensuda said.
“We are linking crop production with the feed the crops need- fertiliser and compost.”
The facility integrates a production garden, on‑site market, cold storage and composting. Produce will be sold directly at the market; surplus will be preserved in cold storage to prevent spoilage; and any waste will be processed into compost to fertilise future crops.
“We are growing, selling and converting waste back into fertiliser to grow more. It’s a circular economy,” Mayor Bensuda said.
“When women cannot sell their harvest, they can freeze it. If it becomes waste, it will go straight into compost.”
The Mayor framed the model as a dual solution to economic exclusion and national food challenges.
“You have the garden to produce, the market to sell, cold storage to preserve, and compost to renew soil fertility. This creates employment, adds value and promotes sustainability. We reduce imports because inputs are produced locally.”
KMC officials said the initiative responds to growing calls from Gambian women for greater economic opportunity. The council has prioritised investments in local agriculture and production to boost livelihoods and resilience.
During the visit, Mayor Bensuda also inspected the nearly completed Charles Jow Memorial Academy assembly hall fully financed by KMC and urged the school community to maintain standards. He reiterated the council’s commitment to education and municipal infrastructure.
Council officials said the circular agriculture facility will be formally inaugurated in the coming weeks.