At solely 24 years of age, Alhadgie Faal has constructed a profitable small enterprise, by turning household land in Kanuma, which is in Gambia’s North Financial institution area, into a large plot, the place he grows fruit and greens to promote to eating places and inns.
He began his firm after receiving coaching from a UN Capital Improvement Fund (UNCDF) programme[DD1] , targeted on supporting ladies and youth, significantly in rural areas.
“Earlier than I began this enterprise, I used to be a carpenter, however agriculture was all the time my ardour. With out agriculture we are able to’t feed the nation, and I had a dream to provide The Gambia with wholesome produce.
About 4 years in the past, my stepfather instructed me that free UN coaching in agriculture, horticulture, and meals processing was out there. He utilized for me, and I used to be accepted.
![Gambian fruit and vegetable garden run by Alhadgie Faal and his brother. Gambian fruit and vegetable garden run by Alhadgie Faal and his brother.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/24-03-2023-garden-gambia.jpeg/image1024x768.jpg)
UN Information/ Conor Lennon
Gambian fruit and vegetable backyard run by Alhadgie Faal and his brother.
Planting the seeds of a enterprise
I used to be actually pleased, as a result of we’re a farming household with little cash, and I’d not have been capable of afford charges and transport. However all of those bills have been included within the provide, so I used to be capable of go to the faculty.
The coaching was extraordinarily helpful. We discovered about agronomics, find out how to handle crops, when to plant, and find out how to choose the appropriate web site.
As soon as I graduated, I received the concept to begin my very own fruit and vegetable enterprise. My stepmother owned some land, and she or he allowed me and my brother to make use of it. The land was all bush again then, so my brother and I cleared it to create a backyard.
At the start, I confronted many challenges. Any time we planted or sowed seeds, rodents would come and destroy all the things. We additionally had to deal with termites, pests, and ailments.
Ultimately we overcame these issues. Right now, we defend the crops with netting to guard them from rodents, and we cowl them with plastic for 3 to 4 days to generate warmth, which suppresses the termites.
![Gambian fruit and vegetable entrepreneur, Alhadgie Faal Gambian fruit and vegetable entrepreneur, Alhadgie Faal](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/24-03-2023-gardener-gambia.jpeg/image1024x768.jpg)
UN Information/ Conor Lennon
Gambian fruit and vegetable entrepreneur, Alhadgie Faal
From peppers to papayas
We develop many various crops right here. We’ve inexperienced bell peppers, sizzling yellow peppers, papayas, and strawberries.
We’ve been profitable in promoting our fruit within the Banjul area. We’re supplying eating places, inns, and a few non-public folks.
Many individuals like our produce as a result of it’s very tasty. Our strawberries are giant and candy, and all of our fruit and greens are natural. That is important, as a result of chemical compounds will not be good for human well being or the surroundings.
Beginning an agriculture enterprise in The Gambia could be very exhausting. You must be affected person, otherwise you gained’t succeed. Transport is an issue, and growth could be very difficult, as a result of it’s exhausting to get entry to grants and loans. Funding is an enormous challenge, particularly for younger farmers.
My recommendation for anybody who desires to be an entrepreneur is to give attention to agriculture, in order that we are able to keep away from importing from our neighbouring international locations. We’ve the land, and we are able to get water from the river. We’ve all the things we have to survive.
I would love Gambians to eat Gambian strawberries. Individuals have the misperception that we don’t develop the fruit right here, and that’s what motivates me to succeed.”