The Gambia: COVID-19 recovery through digitalisation and market access for women horticulture producers

Summary

The project aims to sustainably increase the income of women horticulture producers and processors in The Gambia, who were disproportionately affected by the socio-economic crisis triggered by COVID-19. Focusing on the horticultural sector, the project establishes a market-led digital agricultural value chain platform, links horticultural cooperatives, buyers, and other value chain actors to the platform, provides direct support to women farmers, and increases coordination and efficiency in production, storage, and distribution in the sector. 

The digital value chain platform allows farmers, wholesalers, processors, and other value chain actors to interact and build partnerships for transactions. In the initial phase of the project, the system focuses on domestic market linkages to address the most pressing needs and gaps created by the pandemic and economic crisis. It targets food importers who are interested in sourcing local produce, government institutions such as hospitals and schools, and tourism establishments. As the country recovers from the current crisis, the system will boost international trade by working with existing exporters and export-ready companies. These stakeholders  use the platform to improve their sourcing through supply chain efficiency, transparency, and compliance.