Detailed soil fertility maps that will give farmers in The Gambia essential information to manage their land more sustainably, while supporting government policy-making, is the core objective of an important soil health initiative taking root in the West African nation.
The three-year Regional Soil Fertility Mapping Project (RSFMP) directly confronts the pressing issue of soil degradation, which poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and food security in The Gambia. The agricultural sector is pivotal to its economy and to the livelihoods of its people and maintaining and improving soil health is of critical importance. Thus, the government of The Gambia, through its Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Security (MALFS), launched RSFMP.
The project, funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aims to create detailed soil fertility maps as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making. These maps will empower Gambian farmers with the knowledge they need to implement sustainable land management and agricultural development practices. A landscape-level assessment of land and ecosystem health, using the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF), is a crucial component of the work.
“Healthy soils are the foundation of resilient agricultural systems,” said Leigh Winowiecki, team leader for soil and land health at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF).
“With this project, The Gambia is laying the groundwork for a future where decisions on land use and soil fertility are based on robust data, not guesswork. This is a major step toward climate resilience, food security and land restoration.”
Map of The Gambia showing the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF) sampling plots. Map by Tor-G. Vagen.
Partnership for impact
Central to The Gambia’s transformative RSFMP is a powerful partnership between CIFOR-ICRAF, Crop Nutrition Laboratory Services Ltd (Cropnuts), the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). Working with these partners, the RSFMP aims to deliver key outputs, including the development of moderate resolution maps of soil health indicators, construction of soil spectral laboratories in the country and building capacity on soil health recommendations, including on integrated soil fertility management. Ultimately, this collaboration empowers the Gambia to harness international expertise, fostering national capacity and securing the long-term health and productivity of its agricultural lands.
Participant Mamudou Jarju in a soil sampling exercise during Land Degradation Surveillance Framework field training in The Gambia. Photo by Bertin Takoutsing / CIFOR-ICRAF
Hands-on learning: Empowering Gambian national experts
The pulse of The Gambia’s agricultural future quickened with a dynamic four-day training workshop in the capital city of Banjul in October 2024, with 35 participants gaining hands-on experience towards into proficiency in LDSF. Participants – drawn from such agricultural institutions as the Central Project Coordination Unit (PCU) at the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Soil and Water Management Service (SWMS), the Ministry of Forestry and the Environment and the private sector – learned how to gather critical land surface characteristics, soil and vegetation data, and build a robust national capacity for soil health assessment and monitoring at landscape level.
“At CIFOR-ICRAF, we’re not just providing tools – we’re co-creating knowledge and systems with our partners,” said Djalal Ademonla Arinloye, regional coordinator of the RSFMP and CIFOR-ICRAF country director, Benin. “The LDSF training was designed to be immersive and hands-on because we want to ensure that local experts can independently implement these methods long after the project ends.”
To implement LDSF methodology, participants trained in making precise plot measurements, land surface and vegetation characterization, soil sampling, as well as tree and shrub assessments. Participants were immersed in data management, configuring GPS devices, precision navigation and uploading data.
The training was a blend of insightful classroom sessions and field exercises, where participants applied their newfound knowledge to real-world scenarios. This practical immersion prepared them to tackle the diverse landscapes of The Gambia.
“This training has changed the way we look at our soils,” said participant Bakary Gassama, a soil technician from SWMS. “We now have the skills to collect meaningful data and understand what our land really needs. I feel empowered to make a difference.”
Tree measurement in the field by participant Lamin Ceesay during Land Degradation Surveillance Framework field training in The Gambia. Photo by Bertin Takoutsing / CIFOR-ICRAF
From training to transformation: the path forward
“For the first time, we will have scientific maps that show us where the problems are and how to fix them. This will benefit every Gambian farmer and help us design better agricultural policies.”
Workshop participants are now spearheading a nationwide effort, venturing into the country’s diverse agricultural heartlands to gather critical field data. This data, the lifeblood of informed decision-making, will be meticulously transformed into detailed soil health indicator maps, offering an unprecedented, granular view of soil fertility across The Gambia.
Those soil samples will undergo rigorous analysis in state-of-the-art national spectroscopy laboratories, to unlock the secrets of key soil health indicators. This data will then be fused with cutting-edge Earth Observation insights to create high-resolution soil fertility maps that paint a vivid picture of The Gambia’s agricultural potential. These maps will serve as the compass, guiding the development of tailored fertilizer recommendations and sustainable soil management strategies, directly empowering Gambian farmers.
“We are moving from guesswork to precision,” said Lamin Sonko, RSFMP national coordinator in The Gambia. “For the first time, we will have scientific maps that show us where the problems are and how to fix them. This will benefit every Gambian farmer and help us design better agricultural policies.”
Toward a soil-smart future
The ripple effect of this project will be far-reaching. By placing accurate soil information in the hands of farmers, extension agents, and policy-makers, The Gambia is building a path toward more productive, sustainable and resilient agriculture.
Workshops and extension programs will ensure that this knowledge flows from labs to farms, empowering farmers to optimize fertilizer use, improve yields and protect their land for future generations. At the policy level, this data will underpin more informed and strategic agricultural planning.
CIFOR-ICRAF’s expertise: a cornerstone of the project
Renowned globally for its leadership in agroforestry research and development, CIFOR-ICRAF brings a valuable blend of scientific rigor and practical experience, ensuring the RSFMP is built upon a foundation of cutting-edge methodologies and proven strategies for sustainable land management.
Notably, CIFOR-ICRAF is providing the project with a robust framework for measuring and monitoring crucial soil health indicators, coupled with expert technical guidance in implementing the LDSF. CIFOR-ICRAF is also facilitating the critical transfer of knowledge to local experts through comprehensive training programs and is providing the soil health management skills necessary for the implementation of the project.
Proportion of vegetation structure by LDSF site. Source by Bertin Takoutsing
Contact us to learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF’s work in The Gambia and explore partnership opportunities.
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