According to the World Food Programme (WFP), poverty and food insecurity are particularly prevalent in rural areas in the north, east and south of Senegal. The agriculture sector is dominated by subsistence farming, with limited access to good quality seeds and fertilizers, technology, finance and credit, agricultural insurance and post-harvest storage techniques.  In 2019, the northern areas were hit by a severe food security crisis that affected 300,000 people.

The partnership between the various organizations supported the inhabitants by providing them with fresh fruit and vegetables in urban and peri-urban areas where land is limited to improve their food supply and nutrition. Modern micro-gardening integrates horticulture production techniques with rainwater harvesting and household waste management. Micro-gardens are highly productive, easily managed and can yield surplus produce for sale. They are also being implemented around schools, with support by the city, so that students can have access to fresh vegetable and discover nutritious sustainable diets.

With assistance from FAO, more than 4 000 urban residents, mostly women, have started micro-gardens in backyards. The most popular crops are tomato, lettuce, cucumbers for salads, mint for tea, as well as coriander, chive, green onion and leaf celery as condiments for stuffing fish. In 2008, the micro gardens programme won UN-HABITAT’s Dubai Award for Best Practice to Improve the Living Environment. The US$30 000 prizes are being used to consolidate and expand the programme.

Photo credit: Jerry Miner, GlobalHort