Women gardeners in Madina Kanuma face serious challenges with their vegetable gardens, including water shortages and animal intrusions. Nearly 100 women depend on these gardens for their livelihood, but inadequate fencing allows livestock to destroy their crops. Their garden president, Adama Jobe, expressed frustration about empty promises from organizations and elected officials who never delivered help despite repeated requests.
The gardeners grow vegetables like lettuce, peppers, onions, and okra to support their families and pay school fees. They sell produce at markets in Barra and Farafenni but lack proper storage facilities, causing crops to spoil before reaching markets. The garden contains seven wells that frequently run dry, forcing women to water crops at 3 a.m. to ensure a sufficient water supply.
These early morning gardening hours create safety concerns as women sometimes encounter strangers, making them travel in groups for protection. The garden has existed since 1987, and ongoing fencing problems have led to conflicts with animal owners. Despite fertile land with expansion potential, water access problems discourage new members from joining the garden community.
The gardeners grow vegetables like lettuce, peppers, onions, and okra to support their families and pay school fees. They sell produce at markets in Barra and Farafenni but lack proper storage facilities, causing crops to spoil before reaching markets. The garden contains seven wells that frequently run dry, forcing women to water crops at 3 a.m. to ensure a sufficient water supply.
These early morning gardening hours create safety concerns as women sometimes encounter strangers, making them travel in groups for protection. The garden has existed since 1987, and ongoing fencing problems have led to conflicts with animal owners. Despite fertile land with expansion potential, water access problems discourage new members from joining the garden community.
