Nov.
2017
Press release / Pressemitteilung / Communiqué de presse / PM07-2017
Women’s vegetable gardens in Gambia generate reliable source of food and income
SOLAR23 is part of the currently largest solar water pumping project in Gambia
Gambia is one of Africa's smallest countries and rain-fed subsistence agriculture is the main livelihood for the majority of its population. Since Gambia only has a short wet season but vegetables and fruits need to be growing throughout the year, it is essential to have access to an irrigation system in order to ensure that the population is independent from the rain. The Gambia Commercial Agriculture and Value Chain Management Project (GCAV) improves production systems and access to market of targeted agricultural commodities for smallholders in rural Gambia and has recently set up a new project for Gambian women in West Coast and the North Banks regions: Vegetables gardens of around 5 hectares are divided into plots of 150 to 200m2 and are each awarded to a woman of the village association.
After having won the tender for this project due to offering the best price-quality-ratio in 2016, SOLAR23 signed a contract with the Ministry of Agriculture in Gambia to provide 22 solar pumping systems and 21 aluminium water storage tanks for the agricultural irrigation of vegetable fields and gardens. This EUR 1.3 million turn-key project was now finalized. SOLAR23, specialized in PV pumping systems, was responsible for system planning and design, sourcing of first class components as well as delivery to Gambia and also ensured smooth and efficient installation via on-site support of a local partner and guarantees a two year after-sales service for pumps and one year for tanks.
The successful turn-key project, financed by World Bank, covered concrete work, pipework, fencing and electromechanical work and included the delivery and installation of 22 solar generators from 3.180 to 6.360 Wp, generating a total of 110,24 kWp. It also included antitheft supports, submersible pumps and 2m high mesh fences and 21 elevated aluminium water storage tanks of 40m3 volume at 6m height. The biggest advantage of these tanks is their extreme durability, which is highly greater than commonly used concrete or steal tanks. The whole solar powered water system will generate 126m3/day and per site, summarizing up to a total of nearly 1 million m3 water per year.
For the women in this region, growing vegetables in the dry season and rice in the rainy season supports them and their family to generate a reliable source of nutritious food and income for their families. “Being part of projects like these makes us very grateful as we can improve the situation of the population. This is one of the reasons why we are constantly thriving to provide our project partners and consequently the population with the best price, quality and service possible – always keeping sustainability in mind”, stated Tobias Merkel, General Manager of SOLAR23.
