ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY - WOMENS HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN THE GAMBIA

The role of women in environmental management is of crucial importance in sub-Saharan Africa, a region where women are major contributors to agricultural production. Using women's horticultural projects in The Gambia as case studies, this paper contrasts the sustainability of projects with differing approaches to environmental management and technology inputs. One top-down scheme is studied in depth with a detailed analysis of its environmental and economic viability. The agricultural practices and irrigation technology associated with this scheme make it unsustainable in the long term. Small-scale projects are found to make better use of women's farming skills, but involve greater use of their time and energy. It is argued that development projects must not undermine the resource base upon which women rely for their livelihoods.